Manna House has been serving people in Central Louisiana for nearly 35 years, providing hot nutritious meals for lunch every day. “For the majority of those who dine with us this is the only meal they will have that day,” explains Jessica Viator, Manna House Executive Director. “I was recently told by one of our patrons–hunger will make desperate people do desperate things. We believe at Manna House we provide a vital service to our community.” Manna House’s founder, the late Father Gerard Foley, believed that every individual who felt pangs of hunger—whether child or adult—should have access to a hot meal in the Central Louisiana area.  Following Father Foley’s dream, Manna House serves hot meals, 365 days a year, to the less fortunate in our community in a clean and welcoming environment.

Manna House officially opened its doors at 2655 Lee Street on May 1, 1990. Nineteen people showed up to eat a free meal that first day. By mid-summer, 1990, Manna House was feeding hundreds of people each day. Today, with the increasing number of people suffering from food insecurity, Manna House has been feeding 9,200 meals per month; a total of 110,308 meals in 2024. It continues to rely on volunteers and donations to keep the ministry going.  Manna House receives no financial assistance from the federal, state, or local government, or from any particular church, diocese, or organization alone. It takes everyone working together to keep the people fed. Hot, balanced, nutritious meals are served every day to anyone who shows up–no questions asked.  There are no forms to fill out, no need for an ID, or even to sign in–just join the line and receive a meal.

While Father Foley and the parishioners at St. Frances Cabrini Church deserve the credit for starting Manna House, the entire community, including dedicated volunteers like the late Olla Rae Chicola, can be credited for keeping it going. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, Manna House operates on a budget that is 100% covered by local contributions.  In addition to monetary contributions, volunteers help daily with food prep, serving, greeting of visitors, cleaning, etc.  You can be assured that 100% of any donation to Manna House goes directly to fulfilling the goal to feed the hungry in Central Louisiana. “Manna House is a totally ecumenical ministry,” Fr. Foley once explained. “People from almost every denomination have volunteered to help serve or collect food. Everyone is welcome to pitch in!” That still holds true today. It takes 6 to 8 volunteers everyday (including weekends and holidays), 4 to 6 hours to prepare and distribute hot, delicious meals.

To expand its reach across the community to help those in need, Manna House launched its “Expanded Meals Program” in June of 2021. Manna House has five distribution points, St. Julianna Catholic Church, Christian Love Baptist Church, Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition, Wardville Community Church in Pineville, and New Birth Fellowship Church. This program is designed for those in the community who are in need but do not have transportation to Manna House.

The Walker GMC ProAM / Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour Golf Tournament is the Manna House’s signature fundraising event which helps fund the mission of feeding the hungry.

Manna House is excited to host this year’s Walker GMC ProAM tournament on Wednesday April 2nd, and the Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour Golf Tournament April 3rd through 5th. The entire community is invited to enjoy the ProAM tournament. Together, we can continue Manna House’s long-standing community tradition of providing nourishment to any and all who visit. All proceeds will ensure families and children have access to a healthy meal at no cost.

In 2019, K&G Sports LLC, launched the Women’s All-Pro Tour (WAPT).  The same year, the WAPT announced a partnership with the LPGA’s Epson Tour providing playing opportunities via Epson Tour tournament exemptions. The partnership expanded in 2021 with the addition of the Race To Stage II program. The season-long program rewards the top five points earners each an exemption directly to Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying School.

In July 2023, World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam and the Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) announced a five-year strategic alliance set to begin in 2024, in which the Women’s All Pro Tour would become the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour. The ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour conducts only 72-hole championships with a full week of activities including parties, clinics, proAMs, and more.

The primary goals of the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour is to provide mentoring, a highly competitive tournament setting, and more opportunities to the next level. Since its inception, the WAPT has graduated a number of strong players who have gone on to play on the LPGA Tour. The WAPT has also produced 5 Epson Tour winners including Sarah White, Gabby Then, Grace Kim, Fernanda Lira and Emma Broze. “The WAPT not only provides more playing opportunities but a true path to the Epson and LPGA Tours,” said WAPT President Gary DeSerrano.

This year’s Tournament will feature a host of accomplished players, including 2024 FCA Women’s Champion, Victoria Gailey; previous ANNIKA Tour winners Mary Parsons and Jean Reynolds; EPSON Tour Winner, Riley Smyth; Anna Nordfors, Jackie Lucena, and more.

The Walker GMC ProAM Tournament will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd at Links on the Bayou golf course. Each ProAM team of three (3) will be paired with a professional golfer for the tournament. The entry fee of $1,250 per team includes green fees, golf cart, hole sponsorship, food and drinks including the opportunity to play with a professional golfer. There are a limited number of teams, so please get your entry form in early. You can register at https://alexandria-coca-coladr-pepper-open.perfectgolfevent.com. Tournament entry deadline is Monday, March 31st. Payment is due prior to the tournament.

This year’s tournament evets are free and open to the public to enjoy. “We are excited to be the beneficiary of this world-class golf tournament,” said Viator. She noted that a number of sponsorship packages are available including Presenting Sponsors, Driving Range, Putting Green, Cart Sign, and Hole Sponsors. It provides a great opportunity to promote your business as well as your personal commitment and support of the less fortunate in our community.

In addition to benefitting the mission and work of the Manna House, there will also be a positive impact on the local economy. Organizers anticipate over 180 professional golfers plus family members and friends to visit Cenla. The hard dollars spent are then multiplied by a conservative turnover ratio of four times, to arrive at the economic impact of over $400,000.

Whether you’re a golfer or not, your donation is a great opportunity to show your support in helping the needy in our community.  If you are not a golfer and would like to make a donation, there are several great ways to get involved. You can “Adopt Manna House for a Day” with an $800 contribution, feed 160 people with a $500 contribution, purchase a sponsorship for the Golf Tournament, or make a donation of any size. “The cost to serve one meal is approximately $3.20,” explains Viator. “There is no donation too small or too large. Monetary donations help us buy items needed in bulk, at a reduced price, enabling us to buy exactly what is needed. Therefore, nothing is wasted or sitting on a shelf.”

To make your secure donation, visit the Manna House online at givetomannahouse.com or send a check to Manna House P.O. Box 6011 Alexandria, LA. 71307. For more information about the Walker GMC ProAM / Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour Golf Tournament, contact Theresa Slater, Chairperson at (318) 664-3603. For more information about Manna House, reach out to Jessica Viator, Executive Director Manna House at (318) 445-9053.

Fr. Foley perhaps said it best when he remarked, “The Manna House is a perfect example of what happens when a community pulls together to do God’s work!”