Coffee cups are raised to the Tamworth Co-op

Organisers of a community café which provides free coffee and light bites have raised their mugs to one of the town’s best-loved businesses. The Manna House coffee shop, which is run by the charitable arm of Tamworth Elim Church, received £732 from the Tamworth Co-op’s Community Dividend Fund. Situated in Glascote Road, it opens five days a week between 10am and 3pm as a drop-in coffee centre for anyone in search of a place to relax and a friendly listening ear.

Tamworth Co-op Community Dividend Fund

Shiela Villers, manager of Tamworth Co-op’s Glascote convenience store (pictured front left), joins café manager Judith Wood, volunteers Barbara Marshall and Jackie Hughes and the Rev Stephen Jonathan in celebrating Manna House’s £732 windfall.

Rev Dr Stephen Jonathan accepted the cheque during a coffee break at the café.

“We are thrilled to have received this money from the Tamworth
Co-op,” he said.

“It will be spent on providing a coffee shop for the benefit of the entire community and everybody is welcome to enjoy a hot drink and a light bite free of charge.

“This is a wonderful and very unusual facility for any community to have. People who use the café are very grateful to have a place like this. We in turn are grateful for the support we have received from our local Co-op. The café has been the source of some very good and lasting friendships.”

The community cafe is manned by a part-time manager and several volunteers. It is home to the Elim Church’s Marshmello project which provides high quality children’s clothing at low prices. It is also the base for the Tamworth Foodbank which offers emergency supplies to people in crisis.

“Anybody in the community is guaranteed a warm welcome at Manna House,” said Rev Jonathan.

“We think our café is one of Tamworth’s best-kept secrets.”

The money for the café was raised by shoppers at the Tamworth Co-op convenience store in Glascote who donated the dividends they earned on their purchases.

Manager Shiela Villers said she was delighted to be able to hand over such a large cheque to a fine cause.

“This remarkable café is at the heart of the community and it’s amazing that people can drop in whenever they like and receive free drinks and snacks. It’s exactly what community spirit is all about and the Society is delighted to support this excellent local initiative.”