Manos de Cristo Covenant members recognize Manos de Christo for the tamales bought and consumed by the dozens around Christmas, but the popular tamale drive is a small part of the volunteer and fund-raising efforts of Manos de Cristo. The non-profit organization assists more than 15,000 lowincome families each year with dental help, food, clothing, and back-to-school supplies for thousands of local children. Covenant has been instrumental in volunteering at Manos. In fact, six church members
“It’s not a big commitment. It’s the little things that make a difference.” 18
have volunteered at the Manos de Cristo food pantry for more than two decades. Packing Food for 20 Years Dick and Marty Castleberry, George and Mary Jim McDonald, and Jeanne Pritchett have trekked to Manos once a month and given a couple hours of their time since the early 90s; Dick Pritchett joined his wife when he retired in 2003. The pantry offers emergency help to six households daily. George and Mary Jim, on a recent Friday morning, filled six orders that trickled in. “Sometimes, there is a line when we get here,” George said, as he bagged a package of meat for a family of six. Jeanne, who fills orders on the third Monday of the month, said, “It’s not a big commitment. It’s the little things that make a difference.”
The Castleberrys work the first Monday. Marty remembers when the pantry was downtown at El Buen Pastor Church. “It had a different feel.” Jeanne agreed. “I miss the flavor of that community. This location has its great things too. The people are so nice!” A Little Manos History In 1988, Rev. Frank Diaz began working at El Buen Pastor. The poor and homeless were constantly knocking, often asking for baby food. They had no teeth and no dental care. The situation prompted Rev. Diaz to start Manos de Cristo in 1988. By 1990, with the support of several churches including $20,000 from Covenant, Manos began providing dental services. Manos’ reach quickly expanded and today offers lowincome families aid through the food pantry, clothes closet and its Back-to-School (BTS)
