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Highlands Today

Manna Ministries Founder Is Stepping Down

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Thelma Becker, right, helps volunteer Elizabeth Heller with sorting in the food pantry Tuesday at Manna Ministries in Lake Placid. Becker is retiring as director after starting the ministry 14 years ago.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: May 28, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Thelma Becker has been on a mission to "feed my sheep" since 1994, when she founded Manna Ministries.

Becker is stepping down as director at the food pantry for health reasons. Marlene Christiansen will become the new director.

Manna supplies 50 pounds of food and up to 20 pieces of clothing each month to clients who are screened for eligibility, based on income. The non-profit organization is donation driven.

Memorial United Methodist Church donates the Ministries its home at 416 Kent Avenue.

No other similar organization served the Lake Placid region 14 years ago when Becker started, and Manna is still the only local Lake Placid organization to distribute food for free.

Becker oversees 40 volunteers, most who work three-hour shifts once a week. About 300 clients a month use Manna's services.

The outgoing director said on Tuesday she will miss her full-time volunteer director's job, and will return regularly to help out.

"Every day is different," said Becker. "It's been my baby. I birthed it. Could you ever let your child go? It has been work, but it has been fun."

Becker talked about the early days.

"God gave me this thing to do," said Becker. "I just did it and I don't know how."
Christiansen talked about Becker.

"Her shoes are so big that if I jumped into them I could only see over the edge of her shoes," said the new director.

Christiansen worked for 35 years in the social services industry, which she said prepared her well to work with the poor and needy with Manna.

"I feel a calling to do it. I fought it for awhile. I prayed about it and it's something that God wanted me to do."

For the past two years, Judy Neuwirth has volunteered with Manna a couple of days a week. She said Becker is a wise woman.

"She has a heart of gold," said Neuwirth. "And she loves to help."

The new director talked about her role.

"Jesus said the poor will always be with us," said Neuwirth. "God has promised to supply the needs – not necessarily the wants."

Manna Ministries also runs a school supply drive during the late summer, oversees a student-aid fund, gives the public a chance to sponsor a family at Christmas, and sponsors an annual holiday food drive.

If you have any questions, or would like to help in any way, call 863-699-0093.

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