Dear Manna,

Spring has truly sprung around us in Montgomery County, and I hope you are getting a chance to enjoy some of the warmer, non-rainy days. But as they say, April showers bring May flowers so we should be in for a blossoming May! A lot has been happening at Manna too. I was honored that two of our collaborative programs, Farm to Food Bank and Small Business Vouchers, were recognized at the White House’s Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Community Events recently. Click the link to read the story. 

Jackie DeCarlo and Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, United States Assistant Secretary for Health at the White House’s Challenge Event 

Read on to hear about some of the great events Manna has been a part of this season, from our most recent Breaking Bread discussion with Interfaith Works, where we continued conversation around the root causes of hunger in our community, to the many events of Food Waste Prevention Week. 

We kicked off Earth Month with an Edible Food Recovery Event at our warehouse in Gaithersburg. There was a great turnout of media and support, as we all learned about tips to cut down on food waste in our own lives and the county’s commitment to tackling this waste head on.  

April is also National Volunteer Month, so I wanted to finish off my message with a strong and heartfelt thank you to all our wonderful Manna Volunteers! I’ve enjoyed chatting with some of them recently and have been humbled by the level and length of commitment of so many.  Manna couldn’t do what we do without all your support. Thanks for being part of our mission to eliminate hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy.  

Jackie DeCarlo

CEO, Manna Food Center

P.S. Manna is preparing for our annual Heroes Against Hunger Awards taking place on May 8th. This reception honors leaders in our community who are making a difference in the fight against hunger. Details about our amazing honorees and event below. I look forward to seeing you there, please get your early-bird tickets now! 

Manna Board Member, Odessa Davis, was a panelist in the discussion on food insecurity. Davis and speakers shared their own experiences dealing with food insecurity, and facilitated a discussion on how the community could be more involved in prevention and change. One solution proposed was volunteering to be a food runner for Community Food Rescue  in the community conversation with Interfaith Works. CFR is always looking for more volunteers so learn more about that opportunity here.  

We are thankful for our partnership with Interfaith Works, who holds conversations like this regularly. Learn more about what they do and their upcoming events here.  

Manna Staff at the Compost Crew education demo with Bethesda Central Farms Market. 

Community Members and Partners at Food Waste Prevention Week at 7 Locks Brewing for happy hour. 

Chris Yonushonis of So What Else, Heather Bruskin of OFSR (Office of Food Systems Resilience) Michelle Caruso of the Moco Food Council, Jenna Umbriac of Manna Food Center, County Executive Marc Elrich, Jon Monger and Eileen Kao of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection at the Edible Food Recovery Event.

Food Waste Prevention Week was a huge success! Check out all the fun we had in our gallery!  

Tickets for Heroes Against Hunger 2024