Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church, Cambridge, MA

Mondays Only

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

(Due to COVID-19 Precautions Temporary Hours of Operation are in Place.
Meals are served on a takeout basis)

146 Hampshire St. Cambridge, MA | 617-868-4853

Rev. Brenda A. Brown, Executive Director

Project Manna is the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church's outreach to the displaced and the community. Under the direction of Rev. Brenda A. Brown, Executive Director, nutritional assistance is provided to enhance the quality of life and decrease the incidence of hunger for low-income families and individuals. Since August 4, 1989 it has served an average of 250 plus meals per week on site in addition to the numerous answered calls for assistance. Approximately 90-100 displaced individuals enjoy this meal twice per week in a supportive, caring environment.

The meals program includes an onsite community dinner that is held on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. With the help of generous donors gifts are also provided at the Christmas dinner that includes toiletry baskets, warm clothing and blankets, as well as winter coats. In addition to its meals program Project Manna operates a food pantry to provide assistance, aimed at increasing the nutritional competency of needy families in our community. In the past year, over 1,500 families received assistance through the food pantry.

While providing hot meals and nutritional assistance, this program aims to provide an opportunity for our guest to engage in positive social interaction. Displaced individuals often experience extreme isolation from the rest of the community. To combat this loneliness, we encourage our staff and volunteers to join our guests and share the dinner meal. This intimate contact allows relationships to be formed and helps to alleviate some of the social isolation encountered by our guests.

Project Manna Food Pantry

Once per month outreach to the community also includes the Epic Program, a food pantry that feeds an average of 100 families per month. Notifications for upcoming food pantries and Project Manna related events can be found on this page.

Annual Community Dinners

In partnership with Temple Emanuel of Newton, MA, Project Manna hosts annual community dinners and clothing giveaways on both Thanksgiving and Christmas which results in countless individuals and families enjoying a hot meal and genuine fellowship together.