Notes from the Executive Director:
HB 445 House of Delegates
Members of the Maryland Hunger Solutions delegation 

Dear Manna supporter,

Have you ever been interrupted while telling an important story?  Or had a call drop in the middle of an important conversation?  These experiences - whether due to technology or even rudeness -can be unsettling.  As human beings we all want to be heard.  It is a natural part of who we are to want to share our experience.

Manna Food Center is honored to touch the lives of 38,627 people every year.  While we can't have a conversation with each and every client, we believe it is important to listen to those we serve to understand their realities and create common solutions.  In February we had two unique opportunities to listen and learn.  Before a House of Delegates committee in Annapolis, a Manna client, 89 year old Margaret Dubinsky, shared why as a widower with no living children, she relies on Manna's services and Food Stamps.  She noted,  "When I was younger, I worked as a secretary. I also spent many hours volunteering with my church to provide food for people who were homeless. Now, here I am on the other side of the table, asking for your help."  On the car ride home from our state capital, Margaret told me how glad she was to be able to help influence policy makers. I told her how inspired Manna is to be a part of her story.

Soon after, a group of eight guests at the Colesville Presbyterian Church accepted an invitation from Manna to "break bread" together before they began their monthly shopping at the choice pantry.  The conversations we had with the group, as well as community members, were another example of how Manna is combining our food distribution service with opportunities to build community and share experiences.  We are also convening dinner sessions and "street conversations" at distribution sites to foster dialogue across lines of difference about what it will take for Montgomery County to be hunger free.

Manna believes that listening and learning will help us work with the community to create opportunities, policies, and programs to end hunger.  We are interested in engaging with you too.  Please consider volunteering, donating, or reaching out to me directly to share your ideas and insights. 

Ending hunger: it's what we do together.
 
Jackie DeCarlo
Executive Director
240.268.2524
Heroes Against Hunger Award Reception
HAH Invitation
Heroes Against Hunger Logo

Join Manna Food Center for a unique event honoring leaders in our community who are making an impact 
in the fight against hunger.
 
Reception will feature a social hour, heavy hors d'oeuvres,
a silent auction and meaningful program.
 
Space is limited.
 
$65 - Early Bird Price (through 03/22)
$75 - Regular Price

SNAPJoin the Manna Food Center Team!
The Manna Food Center is currently hiring two part-time positions.  Check out the descriptions below and see if you might be the right fit for Manna!   

Outreach Worker: Part time
Plans and provides direct outreach to communities and individuals eligible to receive Food Supplement Program benefits with the goal of increasing participation among groups with low participation vs. eligibility rates.
 
Essential Job functions:
  • Organize, coordinate and lead outreach efforts in cooperation with Maryland Hunger Solutions staff, volunteers, partners, and public agencies.
  • Distribute MDHS communication tools and modify them for Montgomery County to attract participants and share information.
  • Utilize outreach opportunities at Manna Food Center distribution sites and with Manna partner agencies to reach priority communities.
  • Record and track the results of outreach activities.
****************************************************************************

Marketing Assistant: Part time, Short term
Consultant will serve as a Marketing Assistant for the Community Food Rescue (CFR) network to help build the CFR network of food donors, food recipient agencies, and volunteer food runners. The successful candidate will help us increase the number of food donor businesses that can donate healthy food. 
 
Essential Job functions:

Marketing and Relationship Building (85%)
The successful candidate will increase participation in the use of the CFR matching tool, particularly in the food donor category. S/he will work directly with a variety of businesses, institutions and agencies to make the business case for joining the network.
Web Tool Assistance and Administrative Back Up (15%)
  • Help participants to sign up, use the matching tool, answer questions about how the CFR network works
  • Remotely monitor matches and oversee process when Program Director is unavailable. Assist matched food runs and contact participants if needed.
  • From your experience with CFR, submit written recommendations about best practices for engaging donor businesses to sign up and use the CFR matching tool.
"Chopped" Competition at Paladar
Join Manna's Nutrition Educator, Lindsey Seegers, as she teams up with Mark Mills of Chocolate & Tomatoes Farm in a Chopped-style competition against Paladar's Executive Chef, Gregory Webb and other local culinary stars.  Judges include: Carole Sugarman, Food Editor for Bethesda Magazine and Julie Wright, Anchor and Co-Host from WJLA-TV.  Providing entertaining commentary will be Chuck Carroll of CBS Radio.

Monday, March 14th
4:30 - 6:30 PM
203 Crown Park Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

This happy-hour fundraising event features an entertaining competition and lovely passed hors d'ourves.
 
Space is limited, so make your reservation today.  Suggested donation of $10 at the door.
Savor the Flavor of Eating Right
farm mkt
March is National Nutrition Month.  To celebrate this year's theme Savor the Flavor of Eating Right, learn more about several CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) opportunities with Manna's partner farms.

CSA enrollment has begun at One Acre Farm, Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm, and Red Wiggler Community Farm.  Michael, Mark, and Woody are great supporters of Manna's mission and grow a portion of their fields directly for the benefit of Montgomery County families living with food insecurity.  

Buying a share from one of these community-minded farmers helps Manna share nutritious, fresh produce with the households we serve.  This growing season, support Manna by purchasing local vegetables from one of our Farm to Food Bank partners. 
Manna Blog
02-24-2016 14:20:42 PM spices - food
Lindsey here, sharing another round of my Notes from the Nutritionist: a series of kitchen tips we include in each Manna box to help families produce healthy, home-cooked meals. Now, raise your hand if this has ever been you: 
  • Spot drool-worthy food photo. 
  • Glance / scroll down to discover accompanying recipe. 
  • Vow you are going to attempt this life-changing recipe in Your Very Own Kitchen.

  • Reheat leftovers instead.

  • Slump head in discouragement.

  • Check out the ingredient list, note the recipe calls for more than eight spices.


Continue Reading ...�
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Distro Vol Feb 2015
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 17 years of age of older.  This opportunity is approved for SSL hours.
referral office
Client Services Representative
Help log referrals by phone, fax, and email in to our database.  Volunteers must be able to make a commitment for a minimum of 6 months.

Shifts Currently Available:

Thursdays, 4-7pm    

(weekly commitment)

 

 2nd Saturday of the Month, 10am-2pm
(monthly commitment)

English/Spanish bi-lingual skills are required.  Email Marie at
 [email protected] 
for more information.
CFR
Food Runner
Join Community Food Rescue (CFR), Montgomery County's network for food recovery. Help deliver rescued food to area shelters.
Click here to learn how you can help feed more and waste less.
Community Food Rescue News
12-24-2015 16:00:28 PM
CFR - car
CFR guidelines insure that food is properly handled and transported for food safety.

Food businesses want to know that the food they donate is handled safely, even though they are protected from liability under the Good Samaritan Act. Food Assistance organizations want to make sure that the food they receive and distribute to their clients is wholesome. 


 

Continue Reading ...�

Second 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 March 12th.

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].  
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 January 16, 2016 and February 15, 2016. 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!

Academy of Fine Arts
Am Kolel Sanctuary and
    Renewal Ctr.
Amazonia Healthy Foods LLC
Bethesda Co-Op
B'nai Israel Congregation
Capital Area Food Bank
Carla Krivak Meister and
    Mark Meister
Christ the Servant Lutheran
    Church
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
Clark Construction
    Group, LLC
Colesville Presbyterian
    Church
Department of Finance
Emergency Medicine
    Associates
Emory Grove United
    Methodist
Erie Insurance Group
Faith United Methodist
    Church
Gaithersburg Chinese
    Alliance Church
Giant Food
Harris Teeter
Homecrest House, B'Nai
    B'rith
Journey's Crossing
    Congregation
JustGive.org
KS Kuts
Lake Seneca Elementary
Larry E. Paul Certified
    Financial Planner
Maryland Hunger Solutions
Metrognomes Hallmark Club
Montgomery County
Montgomery County
    Volunteer Center
Music For Food
Otsuka America
    Pharmeceutical, Inc.
Paul Kabiritsi
Prince Philanthropies
    Foundation
Response Tech
Rock Terrace Elementary
    School
Roots
Rossmoor Ceramic Crafters
Safeway
Saint Mark Presbyterian
    Church

Self Storage White Flint
Seneca Community Church
Seven Locks Baptist Church
Silver Spring Presbyterian
    Church
Sodexo
Sodexo Foundation
Sodexo Inc. & Affiliates
St. Gregory the Great
    Orthodox Church
St. Paul's United Methodist
    Church
State of Maryland
Sunrise Senior Living
TD Charitable Foundation
Temple Emanuel
Trader Joe's
Twinbrook Baptist Church
Unitarian Universalist Church
    of Rockville
Village of Martin's Additions
Walter Johnson High School
Washington Sikh Center
Wegmans
Whole Foods Market

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

Please support Manna through your workplace giving campaign.
United Way # 8846
CFC # 23028 

network for good