BANGOR, Maine — Manna Ministries needs $9,000 by Friday to pay heat and electric bills and complete critical repairs to infrastructure, according to executive director Bill Rae.
Rae called on the public for emergency donations this week, saying the faith-based nonprofit needed $18,000 to maintain operations.
As of Wednesday, he said it has “had some nice donations” but was still $9,000 short of its goal.
“If we can’t make the goals that we need by this weekend, then we need to look at how we’re going to shrink Manna down or move or basically shut down,” he said.
“If we can’t pay our heat bill and pay our electric bill this week, then we’re going to lose lights and we’re going to lose heat,” he said.
The 24-year-old nonprofit organization operates an inpatient drug and alcohol clinic with 16 beds as well as an outpatient service to assist individuals and families dealing with substance abuse.
It also operates a weekday soup kitchen, a food pantry three days a week and a thrift store. Manna also provides food to at least four other food pantries that serve low-income residents.
Rae said the rehab facility, which was full on Tuesday, would take the first hit if Manna does not raise the money it needs.
According to Rae, the call for donations comes as Manna faces declining charitable giving, reduced reimbursements from MaineCare and a host of costly mechanical breakdowns.
The rehab clinic once got more than $200 per bed per night, but that fell to roughly $113 about two years ago because of state budget cuts, Rae said.
Meanwhile, charitable donations to the organization fell from $436,452 in 2012 to $299,884 last year, down 31 percent. Rae said he anticipated between $70,000 and $80,000 in donations during the winter giving season, but got only about $50,000.
Then, Manna’s furnace failed this winter, costing roughly $5,000 to repair, and its hot water heater burst before Christmas, costing another $6,000, according to Rae.
“We’ve depleted everything we had to fix these things,” he said.
Just three weeks ago, the motor in Manna’s van blew out, forcing it to borrow one that must be returned soon. Rae said replacing the van would cost about $4,000.
Additionally, about a month ago, Manna’s elevator failed. Rae said repairs are critical to compliance with the American With Disabilities Act and are expected to cost about $4,000.
He estimated the facility’s electric and heating bills total about $5,000.
The cutbacks, Rae said, already have forced Manna to eliminate 20 positions over the past 18 months, reducing its total staff to 22.
“We’ve never had this much happen at the same time, and that’s why we’re not saying we need $80,000 or $100,000,” he said. “This is exactly what we need to get these things fixed … and to be honest with you, it’s to have some money in the bank to carry us through until spring.”
Rae said he hopes giving will increase along with revenue from the thrift store once warmer weather arrives. A lack of charitable giving, he said, affects Manna’s ability to provide pro bono services to those who can’t pay at their inpatient and outpatient clinics.
“How do you tell somebody that we can’t help you when they really need the help?” he said.
Rae said interested parties can make donations on Manna’s website at www.mannamaine.org, with a credit card over the phone at 207-990-2870 or by U.S. mail at Manna Inc., 629 Main St., Bangor, ME 04402.
He said checks should be made out to Manna Inc. and asked that donors note “emergency need” on checks, saying Manna would return the money if it doesn’t make its goal.
“If it’s a dollar or $2,000, these are things that help,” he said.
Follow Evan Belanger on Twitter at @evanbelanger.