Community Corner

North Haven Rotary Club Continues Its Support for Master's Manna


According to one 501c3’s website, “Master’s Manna, Inc. is a faith-based not for profit established in Wallingford to serve homeless, near homeless, low to moderate income families, and individuals living in the greater Wallingford/Meriden, CT area.” It is not affiliated with any church or religious group, and in today’s economy, it has struggled to keep the doors open. 

At a recent meeting of the North Haven Rotary Club, Cheryl Trzcinski, CEO of the charity, described the ways in which her organization serves its clients, including 38 families in North Haven. They provide counseling, food, clothing, fuel and heating oil assistance, appliances, furniture, and general support to individuals and families in need. In addition, they have on-site medical staff, provide vocational training, provide classes in English, and tutor children in grades 1 through 6.

With its mission to provide a safety net and the tools for self help, they regularly serve the unemployed and underemployed, as well as families in crisis due to substance abuse or other forms of family abuse. Utilizing a skein of yarn, Trzcinsky demonstrated the needs of people in crisis through an interactive activity with her audience. As the yarn was tossed to individuals describing societal needs, the teaching tool crisscrossed the room, clearly paralleling the fact that there are many twists and turns facing those in need.

She then exclaimed, “Everybody who comes to the facility has a need”, whether it’s a need to give something to others, a need for food or clothing, or in the case of high school students, a need to fulfill community service hours. 

Although most of the non profit’s operating funds come from corporate foundations such as those of Walmart and Liberty Bank, they also receive financial support from community groups like the Rotary Club, as well as from private donations. She explained that their affiliation with the Connecticut Food Bank supplies much of their food distribution, and they avoid State and Federal funding due to the massive amount of paperwork and restrictive regulation.

Cheryl Trzcinski then summed it up simply, “Your need will be met today. If you are hungry today, you’re hungry today.”

The only requirements contingent upon receiving help from Master’s Manna are proof of residence in one of the towns served, the size of the family, the number of disabled people (if any), and a self declaration of income .

“We do not play food police,” she told the group. “We are only here to help reduce the strain of whatever crisis the family faces.”

She added that they also assist individuals and families in securing various government benefits that may also be available to them. Although they could use more help, the staff only includes one full-time employee, one part-time employee, and approximately 14 volunteers.

When clients visit Master’s Manna they are allowed to “shop” for what they need. They are not forced to take a pre-packaged bag. This assures that the person in need receives the appropriate food stuffs, clothing, paper goods, or whatever is sought.

In addition, a family dining center serves prepared meals from their commercial grade kitchen. On a typical Friday evening, they may serve over 250 meals. 
 
After presenting the annual monetary contribution on behalf of the club, President Debbie Volain requested that the community consider donating the following items: hotel size toiletries; gently used seasonal clothing (especially, for men and male teens); any small appliance (e.g., coffee maker, microwave, mixer, toaster, crock pot, electric roaster, rice maker, etc.); towels, linens, bedspreads, and comforters; dishes and pots & pans.

For further information, go to www.mastersmanna.org.              

Text courtesy of George Guertin & David Marchesseault 


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