"So the hungry can eat." The Manna Meal mission is simple. 

Manna Meal is ready to serve, through hail, through sleet, through COVID-19, and through waves of stigma. They offer sanctuary as well as nourishment, tucked in the side of St. John's Episcopal Church. Generations of church leadership have supported this beacon of mercy, starting with Reverend Jim Lewis, a living light for the City of Charleston. This past week, their on-site program was shut down -- though mobile food services will continue heroically.

We must stop making it harder for the helpers to help.

In the last few years, the City of Charleston has witnessed unprecedented pain. In response, too often, we have closed the doors of those trying to heal it.

In 2018, a political storm led to the closure of the nationally recognized Kanawha Charleston Health Department's harm reduction program. In 2020, Covenant House shut down their long-standing drop-in center. In 2022, Bream Church was pressured into withdrawing its application for American Rescue funds to build out a service center. Countless other programs have faced a similar fate at the hands of COVID, funding shortfalls, and community pressure. "Not in my backyard" becomes not anywhere. 

We the undersigned pledge our time, energy, and public support to the Manna Meal team during this difficult time. We believe in you. We hope you will be allowed to re-open your doors, especially as we head deeper into these colder months. Manna Meal’s location is the best location for meeting people where they are. Their space within St. John's offers respite, restrooms, and a congregational space that reflects the best of who we are as a city. 

We call on elected representatives to work together and include clients of Manna Meal and other members of the community to create solutions that safeguard all without marginalizing any to allow services to continue at the Quarrier Street location. 

We know we will not arrest our way out of the crises we face. The answer to the harms we face is not more harm. The answer is healing, housing, compassion, and food. We need more doors opened than closed. More second chances.

Yes in our backyards. Yes everywhere.

Sincerely,

Charleston residents, workers, and volunteers