The holiday spirit is popping up all around us in festive decorations, opportunities to celebrate with loved ones, and the ubiquitous carol music. Thanksgiving filled me with deep gratitude to our staff, partners, and supporters (like you) who helped make the holiday brighter for our neighbors in need. As we look toward December holidays, food is woven into many of our celebrations, but hunger often remains hidden.

For me the holiday spirit is embodied in our staff, partners, and volunteers - from warehouse food sorting to delivery of Smart Sacks bags - together we fight hunger and feed hope for many. At Manna, we're committed to a vision of a hunger-free Montgomery County for the estimated 63,800 neighbors, especially children and seniors, who don't always know where their next meal is coming from no matter what the season.

Madea helps participants cook a holiday meal.
Recently, I was at the East County Community Center to attend the new County Executive's listening session and heard many residents express how they felt overlooked or neglected by our county when it comes to services and infrastructure. Manna has been listening too, and our programs are reaching communities that have felt left out and underserved. Recently at the community kitchen in Silver Spring United Methodist Church, we partnered with Oldways, a curriculum that features African and Latin heritage cooking, to build healthy eating skills while exploring cultural traditions. 
 
As many communities enjoy ancient traditions and sacred rituals this month, we hope you will find ways to bring joy into the lives of your neighbors through your support of Manna. We believe no one should go hungry this holiday season, and your support and participation makes all the difference.

May your holidays be filled with joy!
Bring Joy to Others
Support Our Holiday Hunger Giving Drive

Donate Funds & Help Neighbors in Need!
The high cost of living makes it challenging for working people to provide for themselves or their families. More than 33,000 children go hungry in Montgomery County. To end hunger in our county, more working families and seniors need access to healthy and nutritious food. Manna Food Center is leading the way to end hunger through innovative programs that expand our reach into more communities and equip all residents to live healthily.

This holiday season you have the chance to give back and impact the lives of neighbors in need.
THANK YOU!


We raised over $18,000 on Giving Tuesday from 148 amazing donors. Thank you to all those who hosted a fundraiser or gave generously from the heart to help families in need.
ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT!
Nominate a Hero Against Hunger
Deadline December 7, 2018

Heroes Against Hunger

At Manna Food Center's annual Heroes Against Hunger Awards Reception, we recognize community champions in the fight against hunger in three categories - Individual Hero, Corporate Hero, and Community Hero. The award winners, chosen by Manna's Board of Directors, demonstrate a true passion for fighting hunger and feeding hope in Montgomery County.

Featuring delicious food, a dynamic silent auction and a short, meaningful program, this year's reception in late March 2019 will be the best to date. Nominate our community heroes and make plans to join us!

Award Categories
  • Individual Hero
  • Corporate Hero
  • Community Partner
See the  Award Categories & Selection Criteria information sheet for more details.
Submit a nomination. Self nominations encouraged.

The deadline to submit a nomination is midnight on Friday, December 7, 2018.
Award recipients will be notified in January. If you have any questions, e-mail  mardia@mannafood.org
Come Join Us for a Warehouse Tour
December 8th at 10am

Saturday, December 8 at 10-11am

Come walk our warehouse and learn more about how we process 3,000,000 pounds of food annually. We'll also discuss how Manna is part of the multitude of strategies to help all residents live healthy lives and contribute to our community.

As the designated food bank of Montgomery County, MD, Manna has for 35 years been a critical resource in the community's safety-net. We are building on that legacy, literally and figuratively, to create new innovations to fight poverty.

Email Stephanie at stephanie@mannafood.org to RSVP.
Last Chance to Add Your Comments on Public Charge Rule
December 10

One Week Left to Submit Your Comment - 
Deadline: December 10

We need hunger-free advocates like you to join FRAC in sending comments on the Public Charge Rule to protect families and children in need in our community. 

At Manna, we are concerned that the proposed changes counter efforts to create self-sufficiency for thousands of families in our area. To learn more about the proposed changes and to access  resources, visit the Food Research and Action Center for resources. 
Eat Well
Healthy Holiday Recipes

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 food while sticking to a budget. 

Acorn squash is most commonly baked, but can also be microwaved, sautéed or steamed. It may be stuffed with rice, meat or vegetable mixtures.

Ingredients: 1 acorn squash and your choice of filling (soup, grains, protein, salad, egg, or chicken)

Cook Time: 40 minutes


Catering a Holiday Party?
Help Reduce Waste & Celebrate Good Food

When it comes to special occasions with catered meals, it's rare that someone leaves hungry. While abundance is reasonable in times of recognition and celebration, it's an unfortunate reality that catered events and food waste often go hand in hand.

Six CFR food donors are caterers:  Corcoran Caterers, Green Plate Catering, High Points Events, My Thyme Catering, Relish Catering, and Tropical Fusion. All embrace food rescue made easy by ChowMatch, our unique matching application. For these companies, sending excess food to food assistance organizations-like food pantries and shelters-instead of to the landfill fits with their values and can save money. Businesses that donate excess food are also able to take an enhanced tax deduction.

Consider finding a caterer committed to reducing food waste for your upcoming celebration or event.
Holiday Schedule at Manna

The holiday season has begun and our warehouse will be very busy feeding hungry neighbors through the end of the year. Please keep in mind upcoming closures in December and January:

Manna's warehouse and offices are closed on the following days:
  • Monday, December 24
  • Tuesday, December 25
  • Tuesday, January 1, 2019 
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 (katie@mannafood.org) 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 October 16, 2018 - November 16, 2018.

 

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


A First Class Move 
Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
Agency for Health Research and Quality
Aging Network Services 
Arcola E.S.
Aspen Hill Christian Church
Bayard Rustin E.S.
Bethesda Central Farmers' Market
Bethesda Co-Op
Bethesda Country Day School
Bethesda E.S.
Bethesda Presbyterian Church
Beverly Farms E.S.
Box Associates Limited Partnership
Boy Scouts of America
Bradley Hills E.S.
Briggs Chaney M.S.
Burning Tree E.S.
Burning Tree Village
Butler Montessori School
Cabin John M.S.
Cannon Road E.S.
Capital Area Food Bank
Care Plus
Carl Sandburg Learning Center
Carmax Gaithersburg
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
Central Farm Markets at Westfield Montgomery Mall
Charles Products, Inc.
Chazin & Company
Chevo Consulting LLC
Chevy Chase United Methodist Church
Children of the Light, LLC
Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc.
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Church of The Redeemer
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
Clearspring E.S.
Cliff and Deborah White Family Fund
Clinton AME Zion Church
Corewood Care  
Dawsons Market
DC Metro Sai Samsthan
DC Metronomes
Debra Levy Eldercare 
Department of Energy, DOE/EA
Dick and Jody Vilardo Foundation
Dufief E.S.
Eden Homes
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
FINRA
First Fruits Farm
Flora M. Singer E.S.
Flower Hill E.S.
Francis Scott Key M.S.
Friendsgiving Partners
Gaithersburg Chapter #5358 of AARP
Gaithersburg H.S.
Galway E.S.
Garden Club of College Gardens
General Mills
Generation One Baptist Church
Georgetown Preparatory School
Georgetown Visitation Prep School
Germantown E.S.
Giant Food
Goshen E.S.
Harris Teeter
Health & Human Services
Healthy Directions, LLC
Hermon Presbyterian Church
Immunomic Therapeutics Inc
Inter-Faith Chapel Mission Committee
J Bender JCC Preschool
Jinya Ramen Bar
Julius West M.S.
Kehila Chadasha
Kensington Park Senior Living 
KinderCare
King Farm Community Garden
Larry E. Paul Certified Financial Planner
Leisure World
Long & Foster Bethesda
Luxmanor E.S.
MacroGenics, Inc.
Maryland Soccer Plex
Matthews Media Group Inc
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
Medstar Montgomery Medical Center
Melamed Foundation
Montgomery County
Montgomery County DHHS African American Health Program
Montgomery County DHHS Child Welfare Services
Montgomery County Master Gardeners
Montgomery County Moms Group
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Moskowitz Chiropractic
MUFG Investor Services, LLC
National Council of Jewish Women
NIST Child Care Center
Norman's Farm Markets
North Bethesda M.S.
Norwood School
OCR Services
Olney Farmers & Artists' Market
Olney Help
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Paint Branch H.S.
Parkside Plaza Community Affairs
Penzey Spice Company
Pine Crest E.S.
PMI Montgomery County
Poolesville H.S.
Potomac E.S.
Radius Travel
Real Living At Home  
Response Tech
Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation, Inc.
Richard Montgomery H.S.
Ridgeview M.S.
Ritchie Park E.S.
Rock View E.S.
Rockville Farmers' Market
Rockville H.S.
Rolling Terrace E.S.
Ronald McNair E.S.
Roots
Rosemont E.S.
S. Christa McAuliffe E.S.
Safeway
Sages on Pages Book Club
Sargent Shriver E.S.
Sequoyah E.S.
Seven Locks Baptist Church
Sheehy Ford Lincoln of Gaithersburg
Silver Spring Presbyterian Church
Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Inc.
Spark M. Matsunaga E.S.
St. Jude's Leisure Club
State of Maryland
TD Charitable Foundation
Temple Emanuel
The Bargain Box Thrift & Consignment Shop
The Chirlin Family Charitable Gift Fund
The Opportunity Shop of St. John's Church
Tikvat Israel Congregation
Tilden M.S.
Trader Joe's
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
Vantage Point West At Leisure World
Village of Martin's Additions
Voortman Cookies
Walter Johnson H.S.
Watkins Mill H.S.
Wegmans
Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce   
Wheaton H.S.
Whole Foods Market
William S. Abell Foundation
Wolpoff Family Foundation, Inc.
Woodley Garden Club
Woodlin E.S.

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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