04/13/2026
Today, we join the Charleston community in mourning the loss of Reverend Jim Lewis, founder of Manna Meal, longtime minister, and dedicated advocate for neighbors facing hunger.
Rev. Lewis founded Manna Meal nearly five decades ago with a clear and compassionate belief: no one in our community should go hungry. What began as a simple ministry, serving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, has grown into a daily source of support for individuals and families across Charleston. His vision created a place where every person is welcomed with dignity, kindness, and a warm meal, no questions asked.
For more than 49 years, Manna Meal continued that mission by serving breakfast and lunch every day, 365 days a year, reflecting Rev. Lewis’s belief that access to food is a basic human need and a way to care for one another. Today, we remain committed to that same mission of addressing food insecurity and serving our neighbors with dignity and compassion.
Rev. Lewis was not only the founder of Manna Meal. He was a committed community leader who believed in showing up, listening, and responding to real needs. His influence reaches far beyond the meals served. It continues through the volunteers who give their time, the staff who serve each day, and the many people who find support and connection at Manna Meal.
We are grateful for Rev. Lewis’s leadership, compassion, and steady commitment to serving others. His work continues every day, and we remain focused on carrying that mission forward.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were impacted by his life and ministry.
Thank you, Rev. Lewis, for your service to this community and for creating something that continues to care for people every single day.
Manna Meal
