On April 26, Manna House recognized all their volunteers with a special cookout in honor of National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3.

The emphasis gave them an opportunity to express appreciation for all the hard work volunteers give each week in helping this community. Manna House has about 30 active volunteers that are representatives from 28 local churches and various organizations.

They encourage churches to get involved and to send volunteers each month. They also encourage school groups, scouts, youth groups or mission project teams to consider them for their next community service project. Volunteering is a great place to make friends, learn something new, work at your own pace and give a purpose of giving back to others. Contact Brenda Rabon, volunteer coordinator, at 826-2037 for more information.

Manna House is a Christian organization that assists families with food, clothing and other household needs. They are also able to help families with utility assistance when needed. Manna House accepts usable donations of furniture, clothing, children’s items, household items, linens, computers, electronics and books. The donations are processed by volunteers and sold in their thrift store at very reasonable prices.

The store is very organized and volunteers are ready to assist the customers. Sales from the store are put back into the program of assisting and helping those in need.

Manna House gives back to other organizations by donating items that are not sold in the store; by working with Goodwill Industries, Victim Witness (cell phones), Disabled Veterans (computers), Lion’s Club (eyeglasses), local church projects, law enforcement, Inner City of Savannah, nursing homes and mission projects.

Manna House is a member of F.O.R.C.E., a food outreach collaborative in Effingham County. F.O.R.C.E. maintains the client database, organizes food drives and donations, and works to assist all food pantries, churches and businesses involved. The next food drive is the National Letter Carrier Food Drive on May 10. Leave donations of food in or beside your mailbox and your postal carrier will pick them up and be distributed by F.O.R.C.E. to the local food pantries.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, making a donation, or need assistance with food or utilities, please call 826-2037, Lisa Bush, ministry coordinator.

Manna House is located at 1210 Patriot Dr., Rincon, across from the YMCA. The thrift store is open to the public.

Business hours beginning in May will be Wednesday 9 a.m.-noon; Thursday 2-6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon.