Manna To Close Rehab Facilities

Manna Ministries in Bangor, which has come under fire recently for over-payments and missing paperwork, has announced that it will close its rehab facilities.

The troubles at Manna came to light in April, when the news broke that the organization owes the state $1.3 million for Medicaid reimbursement over-payments and mismanagement of a rehab facility in Medway. On the heels of that revelation came news that the group wasn't in compliance with state non-profit regulations because of missing paperwork and missed updates on board members.

On Thursday of last week, Executive Director Bill Rae took to Facebook to announce that Manna's tax exempt status is current and its licenses and certificates are in order. The food pantry and soup kitchen will continue to operate as always, with dinner provided every week day, and groceries handed out at the food pantry. In addition, the group will continue to hand out clothes to those in need.

However, Manna will close its faith-based drug and alcohol programs, known as Elijah's House and Derek House, on June 15th, 2016. Rae says that the closure is necessary due to a decrease in state funding and declining financial support 'as a result of recent negative media coverage.'

"Even in light of the current drug crisis in Maine," Rae wrote, "available funding is not sufficient to support our programs."

Rae says the soup kitchen, food pantry, clothing ministry,and The Home Thrift Store will stay open, and the group will expand their reach in feeding the poor. He says the current building is for sale, as Manna plans to move to a smaller facility, in order to reduce costs.