Our Team - Manna Soup Kitchen – Durango, Colorado

Board of Directors

Laura Bohachevsky

Chair

Michael Goldman

Vice-Chair

Janene Bettin

Secretary

Zebulon Smith

Treasurer

Edward J. Aber

Sandra Beirne

Jayne Griffith

Edna Hallock

Ron Hoenninger

Jody McAlister

Mike Tichi

Staff Directory

Ann Morse
Executive Director
(970) 385-5095 ext. 7
director@mannasoupkitchen.com

Erika Morin
Support Service Specialist
(970) 385-5095 ext. 3
services@mannasoupkitchen.com

Jay Ferguson
Facilities Assistant
(970) 385-5095 ext. 5
volunteer@mannasoupkitchen.com

McKenzie Miller
Culinary Manager
(970) 385-5095 ext. 4
manager@mannaculinary.com

Jason Cloudt
Kitchen Manager
(970) 385-5095 ext. 6
manager@mannasoupkitchen.com

Ann Morse - Executive Director

Ann has been an active member of the Durango community for the last 15 years. She owned and managed the Lost Dog Bar and Lounge in downtown Durango for 11 years. Ann then was an Executive Assistant/Project Manager at Axis Health System before serving as the Director of the La Plata County Humane Society Thrift Store. Originally from Virginia, she possesses a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Economics from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Ann brings strong leadership and business savvy to her position at Manna, and enjoys sharing the importance and value of Manna's mission with the community. To reach Ann, please email her at director@mannasoupkitchen.com or call (970) 385-5095 ext. 7.

McKenzie Miller - Culinary Manager

Chef McKenzie earned her degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She took what she learned at school to a French brasserie in Virginia before making her way back home to Durango. One Valentine’s Day, she offered to volunteer at Manna in hopes of sharing her culinary knowledge with other staff members. Her relationship with Manna grew and she was asked to come onboard as the culinary manager for Manna’s new program. McKenzie takes pride in knowing that not only is the Manna culinary program helping to put people to work, it’s also contributing to the local talent pool and providing establishments with qualified employees. Having a positive impact on those in need as well as her community is what she values the most in her job. To reach McKenzie, please email her at manager@mannaculinary.com or call (970) 385-5095 ext. 4.

Erika Morin - Support Service Specialist

Erika spent her several years in college volunteering at a soup kitchen, an experience which helped solidify her desire to serve others. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in geography/urban & regional planning, she began her career in city planning through internships with the City of Gainesville, Florida. There, she had the opportunity to cut her teeth in local government before deciding to relocate to Durango to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. She then came to Manna and, as Manna’s Support Service Specialist, Erika aims to lend a supportive ear in a respectful environment in the hopes of helping each of Manna's clients achieve their goals. To reach Erika, please email her at services@mannasoupkitchen.com or call (970) 385-5095 ext. 3.

Jason Cloudt - Kitchen Manager

Jason’s story epitomizes Manna’s mission. At the age of sixteen, Jason was living on the streets in Oregon. For the next few years, he wandered the western United States and stumbled upon Manna while traveling to Tennessee. The accepting and non-judging atmosphere of Manna allowed him to open up to possibility. He no longer feared being seen as an outcast. After volunteering at Manna for over a year, Jason took a part-time position with the organization, which evolved into a full-time leadership role. Volunteering gave him the confidence and drive to take the next steps in life. Today, Jason is married, owns a car and is finishing his GED. He’s also searching for property to build his first home. To reach Jason, please email him at manager@mannasoupkitchen.com or call (970) 385-5095 ext. 6.

Pam Gibson - Facility Assistant

Pam was a longtime volunteer at Manna before becoming a staff member. She also spent time helping at the Denver Rescue Mission. Generally, there’s someone within an organization who wears many hats and at Manna, it’s Pam. From coordinating the student backpack program that offers meals for food insecure children to stocking goods and looking after facility upkeep, Pam’s the all-around employee who gets things done. She brings to her role at Manna a listening ear and desire to help those in need. Tackling problems and finding solutions together is what she strives to do at Manna. No matter what’s being called for, she’s always willing to lend a hand.

Jay Ferguson - Facilities Assistant

Being a Denver native and graduate from the University of Colorado-Denver, Jay came to Durango four years ago in search of a smaller community. But shortly after moving here, a physical injury kept him from working and soon after, he was homeless. Like many people in Jay’s situation, the first order of business was getting his basic needs met. That’s when he found Manna. With his spirit at an all-time low, Jay began to rebuild his life thanks to Manna’s supportive services and accepting environment. His passion for cooking led to him volunteering, which eventually evolved to a paid position helping to oversee Manna’s facilities. He understands the power of food and is grateful that he can be part of such an important factor in people’s lives, both as an employee and someone who knows what if feels like to be homeless. To reach Jay, please email him at volunteer@mannasoupkitchen.com or call (970) 385-5095 ext. 5.