By Shenay Nolan
Kathleen Kruczek-Gathje has always cheered for the underdog. As a third-grade
schoolteacher in Knoxville, TN, Kruczek-Gathje’s favorite students were the ones who were
often overlooked. She enjoyed every moment of teaching but after moving to Memphis, she
retired one-year later.
Yet, she is still doing her part to help others by volunteering 30 hours a week at Manna
House. It is a cozy, brick house that sits on Madison Avenue near Sacred Heart Church in
Midtown. Those who are less fortunate visit the house to receive coffee, clothing, haircuts,
prayer, and many other things.
Kruczek-Gathje has dedicated her life to following the word of God by being selfless and
doing all that she can to help those in need. She and her husband, Peter Gathje are the executive
directors and founders of Manna House. The two have only been married for a little over a year
but they’ve been friends for 17 years.
She opened Manna House in 2005. It was inspired by Kruczek-Gathje’s longtime friend,
Sara Simmons, who struggled with health and addiction issues. The two met at Sacred Heart
Church and became close friends. Kruczek-Gathje would drop her kids off at school and then
pick up Simmons to have breakfast or lunch.
