Dear Supporter,
As more and more of us are greeting each other in-person, showing mask-less smiles---at a safe distance--the big question is often “How are you?”
The truth is, the question is a hard one to answer as a new fiscal year begins for Manna. In a way, we are proud--Manna stayed safe and kept serving throughout a frightening pandemic. While we remain vigilant, we are also delighted to resume some of our most cherished practices--like offering a free marketplace in Silver Spring. We are grateful: supporters like you make our work possible from crisis through recovery.
But we are also feeling the wear and tear of being essential. Some of us have lost loved ones. Some of have been dealt setbacks known as “pandemic adjacent”-- related to the upheaval in our society but not necessarily virus based. Here at Manna we are absorbing these things even as we try to create a new, better normal.
I write this before heading out to our annual “nonprofit night” with the Bethesda Big Train collegiate team. Traditionally, Manna staff and volunteers are proud to receive recognition of our mission before the crowd, plus have a Manna rep toss out the first pitch! But things are different this year--no touching the balls allowed, and, more importantly we aren’t celebrating our annual Ripken Feed the Hungry food drive. It is just not yet safe to collect food at local grocery stores as we have done in the past. That’s a tradition that’s hard to say goodbye to.
Read on though, and you’ll see stories of how we are focused on what’s possible and doubling down on our values of respect, service, and partnership. Occasionally, another curve ball is thrown our way (baseball pun intended!) as we learn that a partner has closed its doors or a colleague has changed careers. But with supporters like you and a mission like ours, we keep smiling as we are fighting hunger and feeding hope.
Stay safe,
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Jackie DeCarlo
CEO, Manna Food Center
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Manna Food Center visits Olney Farmers Market, Bethesda Central Farmers Market, and Rockville Farmer Market (Rockville Town Center) once a month. We have an information table where the community can pick up our latest newsletter and information about initiating food drives, volunteering with us in the warehouse, and giving cash donations to our food purchasing for neighbors in need.
We also partner with the farmers at each market who give their excess yield produce, which is then shared with our neighbors at Manna distribution sites around the county.
If you are interested in volunteering at one of our farmer's markets, please reach out to info@mannafood.org for more information.
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Big Train Recognizes Manna |
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In 2010, three teams in the Cal Ripken collegiate baseball league began the feed the hungry challenge and collecting food for Manna at Giant food stores around the county. Since then, more than 3 tons of food have been donated, and nearly every summer, nearly 100 players, volunteers, and interns participate in the challenge to help our neighbors by providing much-needed food support.
Although the challenge was canceled this year, Manna was thrilled to be recognized by The Bethesda Big Train Team, who pledged to honor a different group of Frontline Community Heroes during their season. This sponsorship was also made possible by the Trawick Foundation.
Check out Jackie as she proudly accepts the jersey (honoring #21 Roberto Clemente) on behalf of all of us, including the Board members and volunteers who attended the game.
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Manna Market is Open... again |
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On July 13, 2021, we proudly reopened our Marketplace. After a long pause due to the pandemic, we have made adjustments and are ready to take the next step into going back to "normal." Like Maria exclaimed, "We're back!" as she was setting up our chosen market.
Because of community support, we served over 45 families each day at our peak. And now, we are ready to serve more families. So, come and visit us at our marketplace at Silver Spring!
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A New 'Normal' Fundraiser |
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"Would giving up Facebook be hard for you to do?" was the question that the Meakem Group asked their followers on social media. To answer that question, they challenged themselves by suspending their marketing in August. Instead, they are donating their August marketing budget to a charity.
This year, they have chosen Manna Food Center to be the recipient of their donation. We are proud and honored to be chosen. Manna is ready to fight food insecurity alongside the Meakem Group.
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Food insecurity in Montgomery County rose like never before as the pandemic began. Luckily, Manna quickly adapted our Smart Sacks program with support from the MCPS Department of Transportation. With the collaboration, we distributed twice as many weekend bags to school-aged children and their families at locations across the county.
Now that schools are going to reopen, weekend bags will no longer be distributed at MCPS curbside meal sites. However, Manna will continue to partner with schools one-on-one to provide weekend bags.
So, join us as we say a huge THANK YOU to MCPS DOT for their help in distributing more than 200,000-weekend bags. We are grateful for your support!
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