In this episode of The Other Streets of Philadelphia, hosts Summer, Michael, Brionne, and Ryan explore the intersections of politics, religion, and compassion during one of the most stigmatized public health crises in American history—the AIDS epidemic. We begin with a critique of recent political decisions threatening food security, juxtaposing them against the Christian values often invoked by those in power. From there, we journey through the unexpected activism of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, whose empathy toward PWAs challenged evangelical norms, and spotlight MANNA, a Philadelphia-based organization born out of the Presbyterian Church in 1988.

Through archival news clips, personal reflections, and interviews with MANNA founding member Kay Keenze, we uncover how a small group of churchgoers quietly redefined what it meant to live Christian values—not through judgment, but through direct service. We examine how MANNA, rooted in apolitical compassion, helped bridge the gap between faith and marginalized communities in crisis, and how their model of care continues to thrive today. This episode is a testament to the radical power of showing up, one meal at a time.

Timecode Guide:

Podcast Host Introduction [00:00 – 04:26]

Introduction [04:26 – 07:46]

Founding MANNA and Tackling AIDS [07:46 – 12:03]

Religion Vs. Politics [12:03 – 16:29]

Presbyterianism’s Political Alignment [16:29 – 30:45]

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