Community Highlights: Meet Norma Belcher of Manna House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Norma Belcher.

Hi Norma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband was in a horrible boating accident that left him severely injured and out of work. He was the main income source for our family. We needed help with food and utility assistance, so we came to Manna House. Manna House helped us meet our immediate need all while maintaining our dignity and hope. Fast forward to 2007, Manna House approached me about joining their team as a bilingual client liaison. I accepted the role and moved up to Director of Client Services, then promoted to Assistant Director and in 2025 I became Executive Director. Almost 19 years of serving MY community one meal at a time. Bringing a glimpse of hope and transformation to MY neighbors.
Manna House is a nonprofit founded in 1992 by an 8th grade Enrichment Class. Their teacher Paig Spitler led the class into making history and winning National accolades for their project. 34 years later…Manna House serves over 3 MILLION pounds of food to ALL of Ellis County and neighboring counties.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some struggles along the way are ones our donors have control over. Not enough funding to meet our client’s needs. A small portion that we can pay doesn’t necessarily keep them in their homes or their utilities on.
Another struggle is that Ellis County is so spread out that if our neighbors do not have a ride to our pantry, there isn’t public transportation to get to us for assistance.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Manna House?
Manna House is a 501c3 in Ellis County. We are members of the North Texas Food Bank. And NTFB calls us their “Shining Star”. Two employees of the organization sit on the North Texas Food Bank Partner Agency Partner Board. This nonprofit started out as an 8th grade project in 1992, over the 34 years we have been in business, we have taken this small food pantry and resale store and have duplicated the imprint in Italy, TX. We passed out over 3 MILLION pounds of food in 2025 through our two brick and mortar buildings and our 17 Pop Up Partners throughout Ellis and Dallas County. The food pantry is a “Client Choice” pantry. What this means is that when a neighbor comes in and is desperate for assistance, we don’t hand them a box of food. We hand them their dignity and control of choosing the items their families like and need. Allowing them to CHOOSE gives their power and control back. Prayerfully, it’s transforming and impactful.

What were you like growing up?
I was raised in a poor household. I knew what hunger looked like, what sitting in the dark looked like, what being displaced looked like. I saw my mother (victim of domestic abuse) surrender her dinner so her 5 children would have enough to eat. I stood in the welfare line as a young child, remember pulling apart the paper food stamps at the check out counter and receiving a Thanksgiving meal kit that was delivered by my classmate’s church. I remember my 5th grade teacher giving me her old clothes to see if there was anything I could fit into. But, even though we were poor, I still had a heart to help those who were in need. I remember pretending with my sisters that we were in Ethiopia helping the widows and feeding the hungry children. Serving others was the way I pushed my own needs aside. I “hungered” to make a difference, to be different that my childhood. My goal was to be the “Voice” for those who lost theirs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mannahouseoutreach.org
• Instagram: Mannahouse