Lee Anderson: A note of thanks to the greater Northampton community

I wanted to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to all those in the community who support the Manna Soup Kitchen all year long, and especially during our holiday meals. If you missed the Gazette story on Friday, I encourage you to look for it at gazettenet.com to see a sample of the joy you help provide.

There are so many organizations that support us. My deepest thanks to Belly of the Beast, Pathlight’s Milestones Day Program, Mama Iguana’s, Florence Pie Bar, River Valley Co-op, Stop & Shop, Big Y, Edwards Church, St. John’s Church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Grow Food Northampton, Rachel’s Table, Hungry Ghost, Montessori School, my friends at UMass, Szawlowski Potato Farms, Plainville Farm, Smith College Food Recovery and Fitzwilly’s.

The truth is I could never provide these sustaining meals without contributions from each of you. We are also blessed with donations from so many individuals. Every donation, large and small, goes to support this community of fellowship and food at our daily meals. Each day, I work to honor this support by serving the best meal in the most welcoming setting I can. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally, none of this good work could continue without the energetic support of the Manna Board. They’re an amazing bunch and I love them dearly. Volunteers, donors, supporters and board — I am so grateful for you all!

Lee Anderson, head cook, Manna Soup Kitchen 
Northampton