The manna table is an opportunity for people to come and grab some food and household supplies for free without any questions. It was set up in the summer of 2021 by local funeral directors John Gray’s in conjunction with a couple of the churches in the town. It is based in High Street Presbyterian and is open every Tuesday morning of the year except Christmas week, Easter week and around the 12th July. It opens at 10am and runs until about 12 noon.
There are two tables set out filled with supplies, and people are able to come and take whatever they need. There is also tea and coffee in our welcome area for anyone who wants to come inside and chat to the folks who operate the manna table, but there is no pressure to stay. It has become a really vibrant community since its inception with many “regulars” coming along each Tuesday to grab a few things and have a cuppa and a yarn with whoever is there.
Supplies (non-perishable goods) can be dropped off at John Gray’s funeral directors in Holywood from 9am – 5pm each day, or at our church on Sunday mornings.
- Instant coffee
- Tinned meats and snacks
- Tinned soups
- Biscuits
- Cereals (popular brands)
- Pasta
- Cooking oil
- Nappies
- Toiletries (especially for men as Mary Ringland’s Just for Joy charity supplies some women’s toiletries)
- Tea
- Toilet rolls
- Jams and spreads