Manna Food Center
E-News from Manna
October/November 2015
HAH - Teri
Current Board member Terri Robertson, center, speaks with staff, Jamal Ray and Kevin Trostle, at Manna's annual Heroes Against Hunger event

Dear Manna Supporter, 

I hope you had a chance to read our recent annual report that was mailed last month.  In it you probably noticed just how essential volunteers are here at Manna.  All told, when you count up the number of hours volunteers contribute, Manna's service is possible thanks to the help of the equivalent of almost 35 full-time staff members.

This month I want to shine a light on a special set of volunteers:  our Board of Directors.  These dedicated individuals help guide our strategic direction, overseeing our financial situation, and contributing to special projects.  In September, Carla Krivak was elected Chair of the Board and she has already jumped into her new role enthusiastically.  Nancy Williams of DecisionPath Consulting is now assuming the role of Past Chair.  Former Treasurer Davis B. Tyner is our Chair Elect, and our new treasurer is Nina Mojiri-Azad.  

Manna also welcomed to the Board three new members who represent our commitment to diversifying our leadership in terms of skills, backgrounds, and representation from across the County:
  • Dr. Yuchi Huang - Through his work with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Yuchi supports adult day care, parents of adopted children who are trying to learn Chinese, food delivery to the home bound, and career development for youth.  
  • Willem van Eeghen - Willem is a retired economist at the World Bank, originally from the Netherlands. His first interaction with Manna was when he helped organize a very successful Music for Food concert for us this past Spring. He has already scheduled the next concert for 11/15.
  • Idris Mokhtarzada - Idris is a past volunteer with Smart Sacks and adviser for Community Food Rescue.  A graduate of MCPS, Idris is a former recipient of Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) which is one of the reasons he continues to deepen his involvement with Manna. 
These fresh faces join an impressive and committed Board of Directors who are working diligently to serve Manna.  As the season of gratitude arrives, I thank each of them for their service and look forward to the great work we will do. 

Let me also take this chance to thank you for your commitment to Manna during the holidays and all year long.  Request for services tell us this will be another year when at least 5,000 families will turn to us in November to help set a bountiful Thanksgiving table.  Together we fight hunger and feed hope, and I am truly appreciative of your support.
                               

Jackie DeCarlo
Executive Director
240.268.2524
HolidayGiving
Receiving Assistance from the
Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project

Manna Food Center is pleased to be a participant in the County-wide Holiday Giving Project for 2015.  This project provides holiday food, gift cards, and/or toys to Montgomery County residents in financial need. 

How to Receive Assistance
 
The Thanksgiving packages focus on a holiday meal and may include a grocery store gift card, a food package, a combination of a gift card/food, or an invitation to a community dinner.
 
December holiday assistance for families with dependent children (under age 18) in the home may include a gift or gift card. Depending on the donations we receive, holiday food may also be available for families with children. December holiday assistance for households with only adults may include a grocery store gift card, a food package, or a combination of the two. 

Referring Agencies
  • A child's MCPS counselor or Linkages to Learning Program
  • Head Start or Pre-K program or office
  • Montgomery Infants and Toddlers Program
  • A HHS caseworker/social worker
  • A HOC resident counselor
  • MC 311
The deadline for a Thanksgiving referral is TODAY
October 28, 2015.
 
The deadline for a December holiday referral is
November 23, 2015.
Villages
Ten Thousand Villages Food Drive


The Rockville Ten Thousand Villages store is collecting non-perishable food for Manna Food Center between now and November 3rd.  When you donate to the food drive you will receive a coupon for 25% off one full price item in-store that can be used once through November 3rd.   

Ten Thousand Villages is an independent nonprofit and one of the world's largest fair trade organizations selling unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture, textiles, serve-ware and personal accessories from around the world.
Giant
Giant Food Drive Was A Success!

Giant food drive Oct 2015
 
Hundreds of volunteers were out over the weekend of October 17th and 18th collecting food for Manna's Food Drive during Montgomery County's Community Service Week.  
 
27,220 pounds of food was collected at Giant Grocery Stores. Over 1,350 families will be able to benefit from this food.  Thank you to all those who volunteered and to all who made a donation during the food drive.  

A special thank you to all of the Giant Managers and staff that helped make this event possible.  These food drives would not be possible without your support.
Scouting
2015 Scouting for Food

Scouting for Food 2014
 
On Saturday, November 14, Scouts across the region will be out in force collecting food to help end hunger in our community. The food collected by troops in Montgomery County will be donated to Manna Food Center. Keep a look out for the flyers and donation bags that the Scouts will deliver to homes on the first of November.  When you see Scouts out in the community that weekend, give them your support and a big thank you
on behalf of Manna.

Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Craft Festival Is Back!

Sugarloaf Table  The Sugarloaf Craft Festival was a huge success in October and we are excited to be back at the festival this November.  
 
With every $5 donation to Manna you receive an entrance ticket to the April Sugarloaf Craft Festival Event.  

Stop by the Manna Booth at the Sugarloaf Craft Festival on November 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
 
Try out our hunger trivia game and drop off a nonperishable food item to help those experiencing hunger and food insecurity in our
community. 
FoodDrives 
Community Food and Fund Drives

Cans for sorting
Thank you to all of those that have participated in recent food drives and fundraisers for Manna.  This was a significant boost to our inventory and will provide a great foundation as we head towards the winter.


Below are just some of the great things that have happened in our community.

Yom Kippur Food Drive
September 22nd through 30th, Manna drivers picked up food from local synagogues that participated in the food drive. Through this fantastic display of community support, Manna Food Center received 33,709 pounds of food. 

MSI Food Drive
On October 10th and 11th a total of 5,361 pounds was collected in support of Manna!  Over 300 families will benefit from this food.

  Sugarloaf Festival
At the Festival over the weekend of October 16th, 17th, and 18th Manna received $2,319 in donations from the community! 

Sip. Nosh. Mingle. Charity Event at Downtown Crown
100% of ticket sales and raffle prize sales went to Manna at this restaurant tasting event.  The event on Saturday, October 24th brought in nearly $7,000 to Manna! 

Thank you to everyone that participated in these events and other food drives and fundraisers that help support Manna.

Grants
Join Montgomery County Government's
FY 17 Grant Advisory Group

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants for 
positions on its Fiscal Year 2017 Grants Advisory Group. The Council will appoint the volunteer community panel to review grant applications and advise it on proposals received from the non-profit community.  Applicants may not be employees or Board Members of organizations that apply to the Council for funding. 

It is anticipated that the Grants Advisory Group will be appointed in December and will be asked to report to the Council by the end of April 2016.  Click here for more information.

Letters of interest from applicants must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, November 9th.
CampaignThe Charity Campaign Season is Upon Us 


We are proud of our ability to consistently meet the needs of those in our community who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. As the need continues we know that our impact would not be possible without your support. A great way to help us meet the need for essential food support is to designate Manna Food Center in your workplace giving campaigns. Spread the word and let your friends and family know about our work and impact. 
 
United Way: 8846
CFC: 2302
 
To invite Manna to your charity campaign events or to speak at 
your company or organization please email Stephanie Hubbard. Your support helps your neighbors receive the essential food 
support that make a difference in their lives. Thank you for 
making the positive impact of our work possible.
VolunteerWays to Volunteer

Check out our year round opportunities!

Distro Vol Feb 2015
Food Distribution (DISTRO) Volunteer

SSL Eligible 
Must be 17 years of age or older
 
Volunteers (17 years of age or older) help with a variety of tasks such as packing and sorting food, bagging produce and meat, assisting clients to their car, and taking in food donations. Volunteers are needed every day Monday through Friday; shift 9am to �3pm. Volunteers should be comfortable standing on their feet, bending, reaching and lifting, 5-25 pounds. 
 
For more information and/or to register for this opportunity, please email Marie at [email protected] and put DISTRO in the subject line. 
___________________________________

Check out our year round opportunities!

CFR
Volunteer Food Runners 

Join Community Food Rescue (CFR), Montgomery County's network for food recovery. Click here to learn how you can feed more and waste less with
Community Food Rescue.

Join us for CFR's fall Safe Food Handling Trainings.
The two hour training is intended for food assistance organizations' staff and volunteer food runners.  Click here for training details and to sign up.


For questions please contact Cheryl at 
[email protected]
___________________________________
Client Service Representative
Must be 18 years of age or older
 
Vol Referral June 2015
As a client service representative (CSR) you will log referrals by phone, fax and email in to our database.  Volunteers must be able to make a weekly commitment for a minimum of 6 months.  We will provide you with the necessary training on our database.   
 
We have the following volunteer shifts currently available:
  • Tuesday Evening shift (4-7pm)
  • Thursday Evening shift (4-7pm)
English/Spanish bi-lingual skills are a plus; however not required.

For more information and/or to register for this opportunity, 
please email Marie at [email protected] 
 and put CSR in the subject line.

SaturdaySecond Saturday Food Distribution       


Produce
Second Saturday distribution at Manna's Gaithersburg warehouse takes place from 11:30am - 1:30pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Next opportunity is November 14th.

To receive food, clients must have a referral in by the preceding Friday at 3pm to pick up food on the 2nd Saturday. Visit the Manna website for upcoming dates and additional information.
  
Call 301-424-1130 or email [email protected].  
 
DonorsA Heartfelt Thank You to Our 
September 2015 Donors


We extend a warm and sincere THANK YOU to all of the organizations and businesses that have donated food and funds during the month of September 2015. Without your incredible generosity, we would not be able to feed the families in need in our community. 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 list each of the individuals who also contribute to Manna, but the list would be endless. Thank you again for your support!

AARP
Adat Shalom Congregation
Alice Shaver Foundation
Arc of Montgomery County
AT&T Government Solutions
Avendra
Bannockburn Elementary School
Beth Shalom Congregation
Bethesda Central Farmers' Market
Bethesda Chevy Chase Jewish Community Group
Bethesda Co-op
Bethesda Jewish Congregation
Bloom
B'nai Israel Congregation
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran
    Church
Capital Area Food Bank
Capital Chinese SDA Church
Carl M. Freeman Companies
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
    Day Saints
Church of The Redeemer
Clarksburg Farmers' Market
Colesville Presbyterian Church
Congregation Beth El
Congregation B'nai Tzedek
Congregation Har Shalom
Congregation Machar
Congregation Or Chadash
Daly Computers, Inc.
Dawson's Market
Department of Health and Human
    Services
Eliassen Group LLC
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Faith United Methodist Church
FINRA
First Baptist Church of Rockville
First Fruits Farm
Gaithersburg Germantown
    Chamber of Commerce
GeneDx
Giant Food
Girl Scout Troop #4651
Grant, Riffkin & Strauss PC
Gray Wolf Express
growingSOUL
Harris Teeter
Ingleside at King Farm
Insurance Associates
Jeff Miller Consulting Alliance
Jordan Pence Memorial Fund
Journey's Crossing Congregation
Kaiser Permanente of the
    Mid-Atlantic States

Kehila Chadasha
Kol Shalom Congregation
Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-Op
Larry E. Paul Certified Financial
    Planner
Leisure World
Living Faith Lutheran Church
Macy's Corporate Services, Inc.
Medstar Montgomery Medical
    Center
Montgomery County Master
    Gardeners
Montgomery Faith Fellowship
National Fire Protection
Norman's Farm Markets
Olney Farmers & Artists' Market
One Acre Farm
Quinter Design
Response Tech
RICA
Riderwood Jewish Community
Rockville Farmers' Market
Roots
Safeway
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
Salem United Methodist Church
SAMHSA
Seven Locks Baptist Church
Shirat HaNefesh
Silver Spring Presbyterian Church
South Lake Elementary School
St. Jude's Leisure Club
Steven J. and Robin Rotter Family
    Foundation
Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-Op
Temple Beth Ami
Temple Emanuel
Temple Shalom
The Drescher Foundation
The Goddard School
The Moshman Charitable
    Foundation, Inc.,
The Robert Benson Myer Jr.
    Foundation Inc.
Tikvat Israel Congregation
Trader Joe's
True Buddha Temple Maryland
Unitarian Universalist Church of
    Rockville
Village of Martin's Additions
Watkins Pond Community Garden
WCBS
Wegmans
Westleigh Swim Club
Whole Foods Market

In This Issue
     Twitter


 
Your donation makes a significant difference right here in Montgomery County. Manna is one of the most efficient nonprofit organizations in our community, $0.94 cents of every dollar goes directly to feeding families in need.

Shop Amazon for Manna

 

Manna Food Center is registered with Amazon Smile. Click below to designate Manna as your charitable organization of choice.  The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Thank you for your continued support! 

AmazonSmile Logo
Manna Blog
Recipes, tips for healthy living, and stories of giving


manna blog - acorn squash

Monthly Manna Recipe 
What's for dinner? Get quick & easy recipes in your inbox from Manna's Nutrition Educator. To sign up for your seasonal recipe email [email protected]
with the subject line "SUBSCRIBE".
Community Food Rescue Blog
Read great success stories from Manna's newest program.


CFR
Farmer Amanda donates 200 lbs. of surplus organic tomatoes.
Voice of America Video Spotlight on Manna's Grocery Store Tours for Clients

Grocery Store Tour Video


The Karen Goldberg Smart Sacks Program
The Karen Goldberg Smart Sacks Program
Thank you to MCPS Student, Meg Stafford, for making this great video.

 

How Manna Fights Hunger

 

We provide food for more than 3,760 families each month at a dozen food distribution sites throughout Montgomery County.
 
Smart Sacks
We match businesses & organizations with elementary schools, and together we provide healthy foods to 
more than 2,400 children every Friday.  
 
Community Food Rescue
We match food donations with emergency shelters, group homes, food pantries, and soup kitchens at no charge.

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

Visit our website at www.mannafood.org 
Please support Manna through your workplace giving campaign.

United Way # 8846
CFC # 23028
   
2015 Farmers Markets

Support Manna Food Center while at your local farmers market.  You can drop off fresh produce or cash donations at Manna's market table. We use donations to purchase unsold produce at the end of the day.  


 

You can make donations at the following markets.
 

Bethesda Central Farm Market

7600 Arlington Rd, Bethesda

Sundays, 9am - 1:30pm
 

Clarksburg Farmers Market

23315 Frederick Road, Clarksburg

Sundays, 10am - 1pm

 

Olney Farmers and Artists Market

2801 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney

Sundays, 9am - 1pm
 

Pike Central Farmers Market

5992 Executive Blvd.,
Rockville

Saturdays, 9am - 1:30pm


 Rockville Town Center Farmers Market

Corner of Rt 28 and Monroe, Rockville

Saturday, 9am - 1pm
 

Thank you for your support!

   

Manna Food Center has been selected by   
The  Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington as "one of the best small charities in the Washington DC Region" 

 

  

 

 

    

Manna Food Center has received the GuideStar Seal for Transparency. 

 

 Read Manna's evaluation


Thank you for fighting hunger and feeding hope with Manna Food Center.

    Therese Lampe                     Katie Sayago
    Development Coordinator      Development Specialist
    [email protected]       [email protected]