One year ago, Will was without a job, a home, or a future — until Operation Holiday partner Manna on Main Street helped him turn his life around.
“I was just coming home from jail, for DUI, I’ve been home for a year, and it changed my life. I’ve been working on changing my life, and Manna helped me with a big part of that,” he said.
Will, whose name has been changed for privacy, found himself in late 2023 with a son to care for, and “no housing, no nothing,” when he arrived in the Lansdale area. After a brief stay with a family member that “lasted about a day,” he went to Upper Gwynedd-based domestic violence nonprofit Laurel House due to a domestic issue with his son’s mother, then to Ambler-based nonprofit Family Promise for help, before finding a job.
“I ended up working at McDonald’s, and they weren’t paying me enough to support me and my son, so the director of the shelter told me about the Manna program. I completed their program, got my certifications, and then I got a job, straight out of the Manna program,” he said.
Manna’s ‘Common Grounds’ job training program helped Will learn the kitchen skills needed to land a better job, along with the social skills he needed to turn his life around.
“I’m a prep cook, basically the same thing Manna trained me for. Once I got the certifications, it opened up a lot of doors for me,” he said.
“Having the record I have — I have a criminal background, it’s not much, but it’s enough that a lot of jobs don’t really look at my application. Manna really helped with that,” Will said.
“Before I went there, I wasn’t really a people person. Now, I speak at different events they have. They really brought me up, basically: they really gave me a second chance at life. Manna was really my lifeline, and for a lot of people, that’s their lifeline.”
The past year wasn’t easy — he’s now caring for three more of his children, because their mother “chose another guy above them” — but the new job is enough for Will to support the entire family, while providing a new perspective as he saw Manna serve those facing the same challenges he had.
“I was working, and learning the skills, but also helping people that are in the situation I was in. I was really giving up. But now, thanks to Manna and Family Promise and Your Way Home, I’m in a house that’s big enough for all my children, and we’re doing good.”
With the holidays fast approaching, what’s on their wish list?
“Honestly, they just want toys. They’re blessed with the house, they’re happy that they’re finally stable and they’ve got their own place, and now it’s just trying to fill the house up,” he said.
“Manna is a great program, and I really appreciate it. I’m doing way better than I was doing a year ago.”
History
Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes.
Now in its 34th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News.
Nearly $90,000 in donations last year provided food and gifts for 419 children and 184 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 189 families with 366 children for gifts and food.
There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group newspapers who volunteer their time.
Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.
Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can purchase gifts of their choice.
Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency. Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax deductible.
How to donate
Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.
Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading, PA 19607.
The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.
