Notes From our Executive Director
"How was your vacation?.. Did you have fun on your week off?"  These questions  greeted me as I returned from time away from Manna's warehouse in July.  I was very happy to share that, thanks to a generous scholarship from the Harvard Business School (HBS) Alumni Club of Washington DC, I had one of the most important weeks of my professional  life... but it wasn't a vacation! 
 
Each summer the Social Enterprise Initiative of HBS convenes 160 nonprofit leaders from around the world to gather for 6 intensive days of study, reflection, debate, and dialogue.  The goal of the "Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management" course is to help grassroots organizations and multi-million dollar agencies tackle complex challenges, align social responsibility with business goals, and improve performance.  Last year, when we learned that the local HBS club was offering two full scholarships, Manna's Board Chair, Carla Krivak, and I jumped at the chance to apply.  With Manna in the midst of a 3 year strategic planning process, the opportunity to learn from world-renowned professors and benefit from consultation with extraordinary peers couldn't come at a better time.
 
After interviewing with a panel of local alumni, I was thrilled to be a finalist.  To receive word that I'd be spending a week at the venerable Harvard Business School representing Manna Food Center was a tremendous, humbling moment, and I proudly accepted my scholarship alongside Peg Hacskaylo, Executive Director of the District Alliance for Safe Housing, Inc. in DC. From July 17-23rd, we were on the Boston, MA campus studying 17 cases of nonprofits facing strategic challenges, meeting in small peer groups, and soaking up the expertise, wit and wisdom from esteemed professors.  We were given only one "free night" so I missed seeing many Boston tourist spots, but it was worth it!
 
As I settle back into "real world" challenges, I feel more equipped and inspired to help lead Manna into the future.  Frameworks for defining "operational" as contrasted to "declarative and aspirational" missions, examples from the likes of Atlanta Community Food Bank and Forgotten Harvest, as well as refreshed skills in situational leadership and collaboration, have equipped me to help Manna chart and implement an ambitious course towards our mission to eliminate hunger in MoCo. I'll also look forward to sharing new ideas with partners involved in the creating a Strategic Plan for Food Security Montgomery County, Smart Sacks, and Community Food Rescue.  A major takeaway from my time at Harvard was that team-building is essential to success and we are ready to help build the capacity of our partners.  In addition to continued gratitude to the HBS DC alumni club, I thank Manna collaborators, and supporters like you for being part of our work. 
 
Jackie DeCarlo
Executive Director
240.268.2524
 Whole Foods Market 5% Day & Stuff-A-Bus
Shop on Wednesday, August 24th
Whole Foods Market has partnered with Manna to present a Back To School Extravaganza on  Wednesday, August 24th!  All five Whole Foods Market locations will be donating 5% of the entire days sales to support Manna's Smart Sacks program. We will also be hosting a Smart Sacks food drive, with MCPS school buses on-location so we can Stuff-A-Bus. 

The Smart Sacks weekend bag program was developed to bride the gap between Friday and Monday, helping feed the 35% of elementary school students at risk of hunger in our community.  So stop by your local Whole Foods Market on August 24th and purchase items from our Most Needed Foods List to help Manna Stuff-A-Bus. You can shop and donate at the same time!  

We also have volunteer opportunities at all locations and would love to have you help us by bagging groceries, passing out Manna information and loading up the bus with donations.  Click Here to sign up for a volunteer shift near you.
Montgomery County Food Security Plan Kick-off 
As a member of the Steering Committee, we invite you to join the Montgomery County Innovation Program for this collaborative initiative to create a strategic plan to bring food security to all County residents. The purpose of this meeting is to provide information on the details, timeline and process for the plan's creation, and the variety of opportunities for your organization to contribute and share feedback. Engaging and incorporating the valuable perspectives of a wide range of strategic partners is essential to the success of this County-wide effort; we are eager to work with you to create this plan.

Please RSVP by August 8th.
WHEN:  Thursday, August 11, 2016  9:30 AM to 11:30 AM 
WHERE:  Red Brick Courthouse 
29 Courthouse Square 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850
Food Composting: So Nothing Goes To Waste
A Blog by: Cheryl Kollin

On July 19, 2016, I gave testimony on behalf of Community Food Rescue in support of Montgomery County Bill 28-16, creating a Strategic Plan to Advance Composting and Food Waste Diversion.  The Bill was introduced by Council Member, Roger Berliner. Food Recovery sits at the top of the  EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy, an inverted pyramid for handling food that is not eaten. 

Lower on the pyramid, food that is not fit for human consumption should be fed to livestock or composted instead of incinerated or dumped into precious landfill space.

This Bill has significant agricultural and environmental health benefits and increasing food waste composting capacity in our County. It will play a critical role in achieving Montgomery County's  70% recycling goal by 2020.
Click here to read more......
Warehouse Open House Re Cap

 
Last week Manna opened the warehouse to the public for an interactive open house. Participants not only learned where our food comes from and how we get it to our clients, but also how we navigate food dating and how we sort and pack out boxes.  They even got a taste of our nutrition programs and services.  A huge thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors who helped make this event possible.  

Look out for more information about future open houses.  We'd love to see you in the warehouse!
Keep Up with Manna through WeatherBug App
Severe weather season means powerful thunderstorms, dangerous lightning for much of the our area.  To help keep smartphone users safe and informed, WeatherBug� has launched new safety and alerting features as part of a major redesign of its award-winning app.  The app comes with the most up-to-the-minute forecasts, the fastest alerts from the largest real-time weather network, and whats more, you can keep up to date with the latest happenings at Manna Food Center right from the app.  

Simply download the free app (compatible with Apple or Android phones), log-in and follow Manna Food Center in the Communities section of the drop down menu. Stay alert and informed this storm season.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities: 
Looking for Summer Help
distro volunteers 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.

farm_sign_vegetables.jpg
Farmers Markets
Rockville PikeCentral, 
SATURDAYS, 9am - 1:30pm 
Rockville Town Center
 SATURDAYS, 9am - 1pm 
Bethesda Central, 
SUNDAYS, 9am - 1:30pm
Olney Market
SUNDAYS, 9am - 1pm 
A great opportunity for families. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be need an adult present.  
Referral Office
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 required. 

Shifts Currently Available:
Thursdays, 4-7pm    
(weekly commitment)

 Day or Evening Floater 
(Shift varies depending on availabilty during July and August)

 2nd Saturday of the Month, 10am-2pm
(monthly commitment)
Email Katie  
for more information.

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.


Satellite Distribution Centers
Volunteers help, Tuesday at Catholic Charities and Wednesday at Long Branch Community Center from 3pm-7pm, distributing prepacked boxes, assisting clients to their car, and taking in food donations. 

Must be 17 years of age of older.  This opportunity is approved for SSL hours.
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 June 16, 2016 - July 15, 2016. 

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

Academy of Fine Arts
ACC America, WMACCA Chapter
Access Intelligence
Adventist Healthcare
Am Kolel Sanctuary and Renewal Center
Beall E.S.
Bethesda Central Farmers' Market
Bethesda Co-Op
Bethesda Healthcare Finance Fund
Blair G. Ewing Center
B'nai Israel Congregation
Bowl America Inc. Charity Fund
Brown Station E.S.
Bullis School
Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League
Capital Area Food Bank
Capital One Services, LLC
Christ Episcopal Church
Christ the King
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Church of The Redeemer
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
CNSI
Colesville Presbyterian Church
Congregation Har Shalom
Crystal Clear Automation, Inc.
Department of Finance
Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
First Fruits Farm
Gaithersburg Chapter #5358 of AARP
Giant Food
Girl Scout Troop #4045
Harmony Hills E.S.
Harris Teeter
Health & Human Services
Import Era
Jewish War Vet. Ladies Aux.
Journey's Crossing Congregation
Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-Op
Lifechurch of Maryland
Lockheed Martin
Long & Foster Realtors
Marriott International, Inc.
Mars Symbioscience
MCPS Nutrition Services
Mead Family Foundation
Montgomery Blair H.S.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Master Gardeners
Montgomery County Thrift Shop Board
Norman's Farm Markets
Norwood School
Olney Farmers & Artists' Market
Otsuka America Pharmeceutical, Inc.
Public Health Service
Response Tech
Restoration Church of Maryland
Robert Frost Middle School
Rockville Farmers' Market
Roots
Safeway
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
Self Storage White Flint
Serco Inc.
Seven Locks Baptist Church
Sodexo Foundation, Inc
Sport Chevrolet
State of Maryland
TD Charitable Foundation
Temple Beth Ami
Temple Emanuel
The Bargain Box Thrift & Consignment Shop
The Cleaning Authority
The Community Foundation, National Capital Region
Trader Joe's
Travilah E.S.
Twinbrook Baptist Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
United Way of Greater Knoxville
Village of Martin's Additions
Washington Sikh Center
Wegmans
Whole Foods Market
William S. Abell Foundation
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 

network for goodcharity navigator square