Honoring Kenny York and Continuing His Legacy: Manna Café Ministries & Combat Hunger 2025

On September 23, 2025, the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce joined Manna Café Ministries for a moving morning of remembrance and action. The event honored the late Kenny York, co-founder of Manna Café, with three powerful moments:

• Business Before Hours networking with local leaders and supporters
• The unveiling of Kenny York Memorial Way by Mayor Joe Pitts, renaming a portion of Oak Street to honor Kenny’s legacy
• The launch of Vicki York’s 100 Miles of Prayer, a 10-day journey walking across Clarksville to raise awareness and support for Manna Café’s mission to fight hunger

Guests included Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Manna Café President and co-founder Vicki York, and Vice Chair Kenneth Poindexter, owner of Mugsy’s Coffee and proud member of Renzo Gracie Clarksville.

For 15 years, Manna Café has served as a lifeline to Montgomery and Stewart Counties—providing over 185,000 meals, distributing 140,000 carts of groceries, and rescuing more than 5 million pounds of fresh food. The street dedication serves as a poignant reminder that Kenny’s legacy endures through the daily work of the Manna Café team, volunteers, and community partners.

Combat Hunger 2025: Join the Fight

That same spirit of service is carrying forward into Combat Hunger 2025, Manna Café’s annual, month-long food drive. Running October 1–24, this campaign culminates in a community-wide volunteer day on October 25, 2025, when local supporters will gather at grocery stores across Clarksville to collect donations.

Here’s how you can join the fight:

• Donate shelf-stable food items at drop-off sites across the city—including Renzo Gracie Clarksville at 327 Warfield Blvd.
• Volunteer for a 2-hour shift at a participating grocery store on October 25
• Give financially—every dollar fuels meals, groceries, and hope for families in need
• Last year alone, Manna Café fed more than 37,000 families. This year, with your help, they can do even more.

Renzo Gracie Clarksville: Proud Partner in the Fight

As part of our ongoing partnership with Manna Café, Renzo Gracie Clarksville is honored to serve as a food collection site for Combat Hunger 2025. Together, we believe in strengthening both bodies and communities—through martial arts, fitness, and service.

We invite our students, families, and friends to take part in this vital campaign. Drop off donations at the gym, volunteer on October 25, or become a monthly supporter of Manna Café. Every can of food, every hour of service, and every dollar given keeps Kenny York’s legacy alive while directly helping neighbors in need.

💪 Join us this October as we combat hunger together—one cart, one meal, and one family at a time.