We are experiencing a perfect storm (pun intended!) of vulnerability.  Montgomery County is cleaning up after a major snow storm which created the usual complications for those needing shelter, clothing, and food. Many Federal workers also received no pay on Friday, and that evening hundreds turned up at a community supper that Manna Food Center was proud to support. As the weekend and weather played out, kids who receive meals at school went without on a snow day, and neighbors who rely on Federal contracts or related business have had their livelihoods disrupted. One family who turned to Manna for the first time last week told their story to NBC4.
 
Furloughed worker, Martin Conterez, and his family reached out to Manna for food assistance.
(Video: NBC4)
Manna Food Center is waiving our income eligibility requirements for those who are impacted by the shutdown.  Because we recognize that the ripple effects are reaching into the community, we are not requiring Federal IDs to receive food.  If you are a resident of Montgomery County, it is our honor to offer you good food in a welcoming space. Because we know that food is just one element of concern, our staff are sharing information about how peer organizations and public agencies are stepping up with other resources.

The response to both the snow and the shutdown once again reveals what a special community Montgomery County is. One donor went online to give to Manna and shared that her gift was "For those who are furloughed. ...[I am] happy to be able to help." If you are in a position to donate, please consider an online gift that will help Manna purchase healthy food . 

We are also putting plans into place should the shutdown drag on, leaving more people vulnerable, especially as SNAP/Food Stamps benefits run out.  Please mark your calendars for January 19-20, 2019, when we will be holding our annual Food Drive in honor of Dr. King.   During these uncertain ti mes, it is essential for Manna to keep our shelves stocked and services strong. You can volunteer with us that weekend.
 
A government worker let us know, "T his place is great. [You] gave me so much food. I am ... on furlough status and not receiving a paycheck. This was such a great help. Thank you Manna!" 
 
Thank you, for making sure Manna is ready whenever we are needed,
Stock Our Shelves THIS WEEKEND!
Dr. King Service Weekend Food Drive
January 19th & 20th

Join Volunteers & Elected Leaders Across Montgomery County at Area Giants!
Manna is hosting our annual MLK, Jr. Service Weekend Food Drive this weekend - January 19th & 20th at Giant stores across Montgomery County. We are pleased to have more than a dozen elected leaders pitching in to help bring awareness to food insecurity and help collect food donations with Manna volunteers.

Manna volunteers will be at 17 area Giant Food stores. See a full list here !

Volunteer for a Saturday or Sunday shift - we particularly need volunteers for SUNDAY shifts
.
Confirmed Elected Leaders for MLK Food Drive
  • U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen
  • U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin
  • Maryland State Senators
    • Cheryl Kagan
    • Jeff Waldstreicher
  • Maryland House of Delegates
    • Lorig Charkoudian
    • Kathleen Dumais
    • David Fraser-Hildago
    • Lesley Lopez
    • David Moon
    • Lily Qi
    • Jared Solomon
    • Jheanelle Wilkins 
  • Montgomery County Council
    • Gabe Albornoz
    • Evan Glass
    • Will Jawando
    • Hans Riemer
  • Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman
Manna Day of Service - Monday, January 21, 2019
Bethesda North Marriott
On Monday, January 21st , Montgomery County will celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. We will join with thousands of Americans across the country who will celebrate the national holiday honoring the life and work of Dr. King by doing service in their communities.   

Manna Food Center is hosting a Day of Service project activity as part of Montgomery County's main service event at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center. The event will include service projects and a volunteer fair from 1PM-3PM. Service projects include family friendly activities such as decorating cards, packaging food, constructing fleece blankets, and assembling "Snow Day" boxes.  

Sign up to volunteer (advance sign-up is required).
Heroes Against Hunger Tickets on Sale
March 28, 2019


Join us on Thursday, March 28 for Manna Food Center's annual Heroes Against Hunger Awards Reception. This event is an opportunity to recognize community champions in the fight against hunger who have demonstrated a true passion for fighting hunger and feeding hope in Montgomery County.  The evening will featuring delicious food, a dynamic silent auction and a short, meaningful program. 

Heroes Against Hunger Reception
March 28, 2019
5:03 to 7:30 pm 
Canopy by Hilton at Pike & Rose

Spice it Up!
Healthy Recipes for January

Each month, our program team will highlight recipes that focus on building nutrition and cooking skills in different ways. This month we focus on cooking nutritious foods that highlight herbs and spices. We feature recipes that use seasonal ingredients, canned and frozen foods, and share tips that help cut costs and food waste in our kitchen, while also adding lots of flavors. We hope you'll be able to use these recipes and knowledge in your own kitchen!

Chickpeas are packed with nutrition. A cup of cooked chickpeas offers an excellent amount of protein (15 grams) and fiber (13 grams), helping to keep you fuller for longer. 

Ingredients: 
½ cup brown rice
1 cup water
2 pinches salt
2 medium onions
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic
½ lime
1-2 tbsp of your favourite curry paste or powder
1 can coconut milk (1 can = 1.5 cups )
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1-2 tbsp soy sauce
2-3 medium tomatoes/ handful cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup green veg like sugarsnap peas or broccoli

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Intern Reflections
In December, dietetic interns from the University of Maryland spent two weeks learning about Manna's programs and how we provide participants with healthy food and resources. Read recent reflections from Isabella and Jackie.
by Isabella Dang
When packing these special boxes, there are dietary restrictions and preferences to think about, plus being mindful of taste, textures, and acceptability. 
Healthy Hues for You
by Jackie Choffo
I asked one girl if she recognized the vegetables I had displayed or which ones she liked. I found out she LOVED broccoli and couldn't get enough of baby carrots.
Holiday Schedule at Manna


Manna's warehouse and offices are closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

You are welcome to join Manna for our Day of Service at the Bethesda North Marriott. ( Advance sign-up is required as space is limited.)

Manna will also be closed on Monday, February 18 for President's Day.
Available Volunteer Opportunities: 


Food Distribution
Volunteers help, Mon-Fri from 9am-3pm, pack and sort food, bag produce and meat, assist clients to their car, and take in food donations.
 
Must be 16 years of age of older.  This opportunity is approved for SSL hours.  Click for more information.

Client Services Representative
Help log referrals by phone, fax, and email in to our database.  Volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of 6 months.  English/Spanish bi-lingual skills are a plus! 
 
Shifts Currently Available: Day, Evening, or Floater (shift varies based on need)
 
Second Saturday of the Month, 10am-2pm (monthly commitment)
Email  Katie ([email protected]) for more information.
 
Satellite Distribution Centers
Volunteers needed to help distribute prepacked boxes, assist clients to their car, and take in food donations. 

Wednesdays 3pm-7pm
Clifton Park Baptist Church (formerly Long Branch Satellite)

Fridays 1pm-4pm
East County Regional Service Center 
 
Must be 16 years of age of older.  This opportunity is approved for SSL hours.  Click for more information.
Food Runner
Join Community Food Rescue (CFR), Montgomery County's network for food recovery. Help deliver rescued food to area shelters.
 
Learn how you can help feed more and waste less at communityfoodrescue.org.

For more information about these and any other volunteer opportunities visit our website .


A Heartfelt Thank You to Our  Donors

We extend a warm and sincere THANK YOU to all of the organizations and businesses that have donated food and funds between November 17, 2018 - December 15, 2018.

 

Without your incredible generosity, we would not be able to feed families in our community. 

 

About Web, LLC
Academy of Fine Arts
Albert Einstein H.S.
Alice Shaver Foundation
Alteon Health
American Office
American Physiological Society
Aronson LLC
AstraZeneca
Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro Apartments
BECO Management
Bells Mill E.S.
Benefits Provider Network
Bethesda Co-Op
Box Associates Limited Partnership
Boy Scouts of America
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington
Brookmont Church
Brown Station E.S.
Burtonsville E.S.
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
Capital Area Food Bank
Chesterbrook Academy
Children's Manor Montessori School
Christ Episcopal Church
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Church of the Messiah
Church of The Redeemer
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
Clinton AME Zion Church
Col. Zadok Magruder H.S.
Colesville Presbyterian Church
Congregation Har Shalom
Daly Computers, Inc.
DC Metro Sai Samsthan
Derwood Bible Church
Dr. Sally K. Ride E.S.
Earn Contractors Inc.
East Silver Spring E.S.
Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation
Evergreen Montessori School
Evidera
Exeter Government Services
Fallsmead E.S.
Fallswood Condominium
Family Outreach Program
Fields Road E.S.
Forrester Construction Company
Fox Chapel E.S.
Franklin Schools
Friends of Roger Berliner
Friendsgiving Partners
FSP Kensington, LLC
Future Vote
George Shields Foundation, Inc.
Giant Food
GlaxoSmithKline
Glen Haven E.S.
The Goddard School
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Grace United Methodist Church
Harris Teeter
Harry Gudelsky Enterprises, LLC
Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church
Horizon Cooperative School
Howard & Jacqueline Chertkof Foundation
Ina Kay Foundation
Inigo's Crossing
Jackson Road E.S.
Julius West M.S.
Kaiser Permanente
Kingsview M.S.
Kiwanis Foundation of Rockville
Klevans-Tzoukermann Charitable Fund
KS Kuts
Larry E. Paul Certified Financial Planner
Leadiant Biosciences
Lions Club of Olney Foundation, Inc.
Living Faith Lutheran Church
Macy's/Bloomingdale's
Marriott International Inc.
Mass Mutual Greater Washington
Matchbox Food Group, LLC
MaxCyte Inc
McLean School of Maryland
MedImmune, LLC
Metro Maryland ARMA Chapter
Montgomery County
Montgomery County DHHS African American Health Program
Montgomery County Fleet Management Services
Montgomery County Government
Montgomery County Master Gardeners
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Montgomery County Thrift Shop Board
Montgomery Faith Fellowship
Nasdaq OMX
National Council of Jewish Women
North Potomac Senior Center
Northwest H.S.
Norwood School
OGVC Homeowner's Association
Old Georgetown Village Condos
One Digital-Chevy Chase
Or Haolam Ministries, Inc.
Orchard Montessori
Osher at Johns Hopkins University
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Parkside Condominium
Piney Branch E.S.
Potomac Glen Day School
Potomac United Methodist Church
Precision Doors and Hardware
Primary Physical Therapy
Progressions Salon
Rachel Carson E.S.
Response Tech
Restoration Church of Maryland
Robert Schattner Foundation
Rockville United Church
Roots
Safeway
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
Sanders Foundation
Selzer Gurvitch Attorneys at Law
Seneca Whetstone Ladies Book Club
Senior Leadership Montgomery
Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
Silver Spring Presbyterian Church
Sligo Creek E.S.
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Inc.
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
St. Jude's Leisure Club
State of Maryland
Stephen Knolls School
Stewart's Stellar Strings
Stonegate E.S.
Strawberry Knoll E.S.
TD Charitable Foundation
Temple Emanuel
The Bargain Box Thrift & Consignment Shop
The Cleaning Authority
The Fruit Guys
The Hwang Foundation
The Master's Holy Mountain Embassy
Thomas W. Pyle M.S.
Tilden M.S.
Total Wine & More
Trader Joe's
True Buddha Temple
Twinbrook Community Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
Velocity of Books
Village of Martin's Additions
Walter Johnson H.S.
Waredaca Brewing Company LLC
Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church
Washington Grove E.S.
Waters Landing E.S.
Wawa Inc.
Wegmans
Whetstone E.S.
White Oak M.S.
Whole Foods Market
William B. Gibbs, Jr. E.S.
William Tyler Page E.S.
Wilson Wims E.S.
Wraase Family Foundation
Young In Heart Club

If we accidentally missed your business or organization in our list, please email   Therese Lampe  and we will make the correction in our next list.  We wish we could also list each of the individuals who contribute to Manna; thank you all again for your support!    
If you're interested in donating food, making a financial contribution, or volunteering, 
please contact us at :  
Manna Food Center
9311 Gaither Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20877 
301-424-1130

Remember to support Manna through your workplace giving campaign.
United Way # 8846 - CFC # 23028 


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