Manna Meal has a remarkable record. In its forty-year history, the non-profit soup kitchen has not missed one day of providing meals to the hungry of Charleston. With the help of volunteers and donations, Manna Meal provides two meals a day, 365 days a year, to over 400 people--no questions asked. In 2016, Manna Meal received the Frank Brown Community Partnership grant from Bricks Without Straw.
Company Story
Outreach Director Kay Albright knew Manna Meal’s website was “primitive”, so when she heard about the Partnership, she had to apply. Expecting “a very service-stagnant, basic page,” Albright was surprised when “Jamie went above and beyond expectations. . .a new logo. . . the pictures. . .the way it functions. . .(it’s) really beyond what I thought we would get.” Executive Director Jean Simpson said, “I was excited about talking to someone with fresh ideas. . .to move our nonprofit into the next century. Which he has done.”
Need Beyond the Website
Jamie updated the group’s logo to reflect its evolving mission, then gifted Manna Meal with business cards and letterheads bearing the new image. He also provided a sign for its community garden. In Albright’s opinion, Jamie gets the non-profit world. “He really understands the donor and presenting a polished, unified look. (He understands) how important every dollar is to the non-profit, and how we can better present to the donor. I would think all he does is non-profit, he was so great at . . .consistent messaging.”
Jamie asked local photographer Chris Gosses to help tell Manna Meal’s story. “I couldn’t say no,” Gosses admitted. “I love Manna Meal!” (Unbeknown to Jamie, Chris had been involved in fundraising efforts for the group in the past.) The collaboration produced photographs that are “absolutely wonderful,” according to Simpson.
Albright praised Jamie’s choice. “Chris spent part of a couple of different days taking pictures . . .(he) captured volunteers in action and didn’t show the clientele, which is what we asked.. . .he also went to our garden site. . .Chris did a fantastic job of capturing what we do.” Gosses was excited about the opportunity. “I think I became a bigger supporter of Manna Meal. My favorite part was getting a better understanding of the impact that the organization has.”
Describing Jamie’s design approach, Gosses said, “Very clean and purposeful. Jamie has a very deliberate style. Not only does he want to convey the information that is pertinent, but he also wants your eye to be led. . .(and) he does that with his web design. . .it’s very thought out.” Simpson agreed and complimented both Jamie and Chris. “(Jamie has) definitely got an eye for design. For an in-depth story through a photograph. (Chris) has that same depth.”
Conveying Manna Meal’s Message
The non-profit world knows that a good website is a tool for winning grants and soliciting support. Albright is confident the new website “showcases (Manna Meal’s work) well.”
“It gives us a really positive face. . .I think any donor who goes to that website would be interested in giving to us. . .people know we’re really doing work here.” Simpson added, “People are going to be surprised when they go onto a website for a soup kitchen (and find) it as informative as it is. . .it says everything about us.” According to Albright, Manna Meal has already seen an uptick in online giving.
Like donations, Assistant Director Royce Caldwell, who oversees volunteers, has also seen an increase. “It’s made it a lot easier. (Volunteers) can go online and submit when they can volunteer. We’ve already got some requests from people who want to volunteer.”
Reflecting on the Frank Brown Community Partnership grant, Caldwell stated, “I think it’s awesome that we got accepted. . .we’re very blessed!” Albright agreed. “I never imagined that we would end up with a new logo and all of that. . . the pictures on the webpage, the way it functions, is really beyond what I thought.” She continued, “Jamie just really did a lot for us. He’s been more than generous with his time and helping us to create this new face of Manna Meal.”
