EDITOR'S NOTE: The following contains a portion of the resignation letter from Executive Director Tom Allebach to the

Board of Directors of Manna on Main Street. With appreciation for having led Manna through a successful 30th Anniversary celebration, that enabled its long desired move this spring to a new home at 713 W. Main Street, the Board of Directors of Manna on Main Street has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Tom Allebach, who has been at the helm of the North Penn area soup kitchen and food pantry for the past 12 years. Allebach, who has guided Manna during its period of unprecedented growth, has announced that since he has seen Manna on Main Street achieve many of the goals he envisioned, he therefore feels that it is time for him to seize a new opportunity. I had the goals of improving Mannas standing in the community, building a strong board and staff, becoming financially stable and securing a new facility. With the support of an amazing community, those dreams have been realized; now I think is the appropriate time for a new leader with fresh ideas to help Manna chart a path for the future, Allebach said. The Board wishes to acknowledge his many accomplishments in serving the community and wish Tom all the best as he tackles new endeavors. The board will surely miss Tom and his strong connection to the North Penn Community. Tom Allebach has led Manna on Main Street through our period of greatest growth and expansion regarding our community needs. When Tom joined Manna on Main Street, the staff consisted of only two people and provided limited services. Under Toms leadership and vision, Manna has expanded to a staff of seven and now provides hot meals, food pantry and financial aid to a growing community in need, said Jeanne Andolina, Chair of Mannas Board of Directors. The Board looks forward to Tom's continued commitment to the ongoing mission of Manna and the community we serve. Ill still be very much a part of this community, and look forward to being a supporter and friend of Manna for a very long time, Allebach said. It has been an honor to serve the community and to help with Mannas important work. Im confident that our volunteers, donors and community partners will join me in continuing to support Mannas outreach for years to come. As Manna transitions to new leadership, the Board of Directors and staff eagerly await the completion of construction of Manna's new home at 713 W. Main Street, which is on track for an uninterrupted transition of daily service in March, 2012. As chair of the board of directors, I wish Tom success in all his future endeavors," said Andolina.. With the base Tom, our staff and our volunteers have built, Manna's work will continue as usual, and our Board has already begun the process of selecting a new Executive Director.

Lastly, I want to assure the community that Mannas board is committed to caring for people in need, and will continue its programs and services with the current staff for the long-term future. With the support of the North Penn community, Manna's mission remains the same - "that everyone may be fed" - especially in our troubled economy."