Steve Coltman of Easthampton helps his children Brieanna and Evan, 6 and 4, pass out the Christmas cards they drew while their mother, Cheryl Coltman, volunteered in the serving line for the holiday meal program. Cooper Stone, right, of Sunderland, and his table were the first to receive the handmade decorations.">
By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
NORTHAMPTON - Whether they came in and sat down, took it home to their families or had it delivered to their front door, more than 600 area residents were provided with a warm holiday meal on Thursday thanks to volunteers from the Manna Soup Kitchen.
Although they had less people coming in to Edwards Church at 297 Main St. than at Thanksgiving, Carl Erickson, president of the non-profit's board of directors, said 50 volunteers provided 300 sit down, 250 take-out and 50 delivery meals to those in need.
"It went very well," said Erickson. "It is certainly less than the 900 people we served at Thanksgiving, but we always expect our Christmas meal will produce less people."
As was the case with the meal at Thanksgiving, Erickson said the state of the national economy has created a noticeable increase in patronage at the free meal.
"I noticed more families coming in than in previous years here because of the current economic circumstances," said Erickson. "It is a good thing that people feel comfortable coming here. That is what we try to do, make it a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of food and fellowship."
Manna Soup Kitchen took over preparing and serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the hungry when the Northampton Honor Court closed down in November of 2006. In an attempt to recreate the services provided by the Honor Court, Manna tried something different this year, by providing the less fortunate with the option of home-delivery.
"Christmas can be a lonely time for those with no place to go or no possibility of getting out," said Erickson. "In past years the Honor Court delivered meals to shut-ins. Manna creates a place of warmth and welcome, but we also want to be able to serve homebound people."
Next year, Erickson said, Manna will offer home-delivery at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and he expects the success of this year's Christmas meal will lead to a larger number of orders in the future.
"We just have to do a better job of advertising the deliveries next year," said Erickson. "We're trying to resurrect what the Honor Court did for so many years and keep that tradition going."
Manna serves a hot meal every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. and a soup and sandwich lunch on Saturdays from 11:30 to 12:30, both at Edwards Church, and a hot dinner Mondays from 12 to 1 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church. Volunteers are always welcome and are asked to arrive one half hour before the meal is scheduled to begin.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com
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