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Medient agrees to buy movie sales company
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Staff Report
Updated: Aug 6, 2013, 12:56 AM
Published: Aug 6, 2013, 12:58 AM

Medient Studios, Inc.  has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire 100 percent ownership of Germany-based Atlas International Film GmbH.


In addition to Atlas’ expertise in worldwide entertainment licensing, its large client base of U.S. and international film distributors and content producers and its access to various investment groups and financing sources globally, the combined entity will benefit from the film production and post-production infrastructure at the Medient Studioplex to be built in Effingham County.


“Atlas is a specialist in the exploitation of action, horror and related genres and is a wonderful strategic fit for Medient given our focus on these genres as the core output from the Studioplex,” said Manu Kumaran, chairman of Medient. “With Atlas by our side, we can provide the opportunity to green-light quality projects without having to raise external capital.”


“Having known Manu and the Medient team for some time now, it is truly extraordinary to have seen the Studioplex vision take massive steps to become reality,” said Philipp Menz, president of Atlas. “On behalf of my fellow owners and I and all the employees of Atlas, we are honored and excited to be part of such an industry-changing company.”


Kumaran added, “We will continue to add strategic elements to our company to create a vertically-integrated ‘insourced’ content creation company.”


The company will unveil the movie production slate for 2014 shortly.


Medient is building a fully-integrated movie and game production facility and campus on a 1,550-acre property in Effingham County. Once operational  the production facility will be the largest of its kind in the U.S.
Manna House Expands Thanksgiving Giveaway Amid Rising Need
Rising Grocery Costs in Georgia and Loss of SNAP Benefits Drive Record Local Demand
Manna House
Liz Quarterman, operations manager at Manna House, packs a Thanksgiving 'Box of Hope' for a local family. This year, volunteers helped assemble 1,100 boxes to ensure every household in need can enjoy a holiday meal. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)
Updated: Nov 22, 2025, 6:36 PM
Published: Nov 20, 2025, 6:13 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Manna House has expanded its annual Thanksgiving “Boxes of Hope” giveaway to meet growing demand as families face the loss of SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown and continue to struggle with rising grocery prices. 

Many families in Effingham County are struggling more now than they ever have before. Grocery prices in Georgia have risen an estimated 6.57% over the past year.

Distribution hours and location
Distribution is taking place at Manna House, 1210 Patriot Drive in Rincon, and continues Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. The giveaway runs through Nov. 25.

Operations Manager on growing need
Operations Manager Liz Quarterman said the ministry increased its distribution from 800 to 1,100 boxes after seeing an unprecedented spike in local need.

“Three hundred new families have come forward since Nov. 1 seeking assistance,” she said. “Even families with two incomes are struggling to buy groceries and put food on the table. Prices are skyrocketing.”

To meet the surge, Manna House purchased an additional 300 boxes using its own budget at a cost of about $9,000, Quarterman said.

Each "Box of Hope" contains all the essentials for a full Thanksgiving meal, including a frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, peaches, cranberry sauce, yams, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, marshmallow cream, Jell-O, rice, mac and cheese, dried milk, brownie mix, Jiffy mix, and a dozen eggs. Flatware, napkins, and cups are included as well.

Quarterman said the cost of each box would be about $150 at grocery-store prices. Through bulk purchasing from Harvest House, Manna House acquires the food at about 10 cents per pound — roughly $20 per box.

Manna House
Volunteer Laurie Jamison directs traffic at Manna House’s Thanksgiving distribution center. This year’s giveaway drew more than 150 volunteers — the most ever in the organization’s history — helping assemble and distribute 1,100 “Boxes of Hope” to families in need. (Nichole Buchanan / Effingham Herald)

Manna House in Rincon
Manna House in Rincon is a nonprofit ministry that provides food assistance, clothing, and household items to those in need in Effingham County. It operates a food pantry with weekly distributions and a thrift store whose sales help fund the pantry’s operations. The organization also hosts school supply drives and holiday assistance programs like "Boxes of Hope."

“Manna House provides food for over 16,000 households in need each year, and we’ve seen that number rise during the government shutdown,” Quarterman said. “'The Boxes of Hope' are especially meaningful. Every family deserves to enjoy a holiday meal, and thanks to our generous donors and faithful volunteers, we are blessed to share God’s love in this way.”

“If you need food, we are here,” Quarterman said. “If you know someone who needs food, we are here.”

Volunteer turnout sets record
Quarterman said this year’s giveaway sparked the largest volunteer turnout in Manna House history. More than 150 volunteers have helped distribute the boxes.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “So many people are volunteering. This is the best county in the world.”