Celebrating Dr. King through Service 

Why do we at Manna work so hard preparing for, and then serving on, a 3 day weekend? It's pretty simple, really: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the millions of people he mobilized, made our country a better place. Thanks to the work of the civil rights movement that Dr. King led, the United States is a freer and fairer place. 

While on some holidays, like Memorial Day, we take a day off to reflect on the sacrifice of others, following Dr. King's example, we and many other groups across the county make it a day "on." We would love for you to join us!  If you are looking for a way to give back, plan to visit any area Giant Food stores on Saturday or Sunday to support Manna's MLK Food Drive.  There are also a few volunteer slots available.  Manna will also be partnering with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center to host a large box packing event on Monday from 1-3 PM at the Bethesda North Marriott. The volunteer center has MLK Day activities throughout the county, so click here to find your best fit!  A special thanks to all our fellow community members who are planning to serve this weekend. 

  Manna is committed to being an ally for racial justice all year long, but this weekend let's reflect especially on some words of Dr King:

I'm proud we are not standing by or staying silent.  Ending hunger: it's what we do! 

Do you Know A Hunger Champion?
Manna Food Center's annual Heroes Against Hunger Awards Reception recognizes community champions in the fight against hunger in three categories:
 Individual Hero, Corporate Hero & Community Hero

The award winners, selected by Manna's Board of Directors, demonstrate a true passion for fighting hunger and feeding hope in Montgomery County. You are invited to nominate to fill out a short nomination form to submit candidates for consideration by Friday January 12. 
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In addition to the presentation of awards, the 2018 Reception will launch the 35th Anniversary celebration of Manna Food Center.  Nominate our community heroes and make plans to join us on April 18th at the Fillmore in Silver Spring! 

Award Categories & Selection Criteria
(Self & Multiple Nominations are encouraged)
  • Individual Hero: *Lives or works in Montgomery County *Is an influencer, leader, and friend of the Montgomery County nonprofit food support community, actively contributing to food security initiatives and making a profound impact toward a hunger-free Montgomery County *Supports Manna Food Center through investments of time, treasure, and/or talent
  • Corporate Hero: *Has a significant corporate presence in Montgomery County *Has been a consistent partner of the Montgomery County nonprofit food community, supporting with food, funds and friends *Supports Manna Food Center through investments of time, treasure, and/or talent
  • Community Partner: *Has a significant community presence in Montgomery County *Has actively contributed to a hunger-free Montgomery County *Supports Manna Food Center through partnerships and collaboration activities
Follow this link   to nominate your hero today.  Nominations close at midnight tomorrow.
CFC Deadline: Designate by Friday, 01/12


Is it Safe to Eat? Free Food Safety Webinar
Test your knowledge on food safety at home and for participating in Community Food Rescue at the January 18th, 7-8:30 PM food safety training webinar. This FREE webinar, viewed from the comfort of your own computer, will cover the basics of safe food handling and transportation.  

Learn how Manna Food Center, our County's largest food recovery and distribution site, provides more than four million pounds of food for families each year.  We'll have fun quizzes, mock food safety runs, and great information for every home cook and anyone engaged in food recovery including CFR food runners and food recipient organizations' staff and volunteers.

Your Instructors:
Jenna Umbriac, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and Director of Policy and Programs at Manna Food Center.  She is a Certified Food Service Manager and has experience with food safety and food service management in both community and clinical settings. 
Cheryl Kollin, MBA, is the Program Director of Community Food Rescue, a program of Manna Food Center. Cheryl consults with entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses in mission-driven, food related ventures.
MLK Jr. Community Service Food Drive: This Weekend!
Volunteers sought to help staff a Food Drive during "Dr. MLK Jr. Weekend Food Drive" this weekend, January 13 & 14th.  We greatly appreciate you taking the time to volunteer and helping those at risk of hunger in Montgomery County .
 
WHERE: Giant Stores throughout Montgomery County
WHEN: January 13th and 14th, 2018
TIME: Shifts are 11am-2pm and 2pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
WHAT: Volunteers will help promote the food drive at Giant Grocery Stores and collect food donations from customers.
 
 We specifically need coverage at the following stores:
Arliss Street Center Giant
Blair East Giant
Burtonsville Giant
Colesville Giant
White Oak Giant

We appreciate your service, a s do the thousands we feed, that are counting on you to collect food at the store you have "adopted."  Please click here  for more information and to sign up for a shift (note that signing up for an available shift is your confirmation).  
Thank you!
When Winter Weather Comes...

With the cold weather finally here, freezing precipitation is ever the possibility!  Snow days b ring a sense of wonder and excitement, as well logistical challenges.    
 
As a reminder, Manna follows Montgomery County Government  (not MCPS)  regarding closures & delays.  Manna posts announcements on our Facebook and  Twitter sites, as well as on our website. You can also call 301.424.1130 for recorded updates.  
 
Thank you and have a safe winter.

Available Volunteer Opportunities: 
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.
 
distro volunteers 2015
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:
 
 Day or Evening Floater 
(Shift varies based on need)
 
 2nd Saturday of the Month, 10am-2pm 
(monthly commitment)
Email Katie  for more info
Satellite Distribution Centers
Volunteers help Tuesdays at Glenmont United Methodist Church and Wednesdays 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.
 
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.


For more information about these and any other volunteer opportunities visit our  website .
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 November 16, 2017 - December 15, 2017. 

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

3M Foundation
4-H, Back in Time Club
Aldon Management Corp.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Argyle M.S.
Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro Apartments
The Bargain Box Thirft & Consignment Shop
Bethesda Co-Op
Bethesda Country Day School
Bethesda Friends Meeting
B'nai Israel Congregation
Box Associates Limited Partnership
Boy Scout Troop #433
Brandy Hall Neighbors
Cadence at Crown
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
Capital Area Food Bank
CDCI
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
Chesterbrook Academy
Children's Manor Montessori
Children's Manor Montessori School
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Church of The Redeemer
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
Cliff and Deborah White Family Fund
Clinton AME Zion Church
Cloverly E.S.
Col. Zadok Magruder H.S.
Colesville Presbyterian Church
Color Me Mine Rockville
DC Metronomes (Hallmark Club)
Dr. Sally K. Ride E.S.
Emergent Biosolutions
Environmental Mgmt. Services, Inc.
Evergreen Montessori School
Faith United Methodist Church
Fields Road E.S.
First Baptist Church of Rockville
Flower Hill E.S.
Forest Oak M.S.
Gaithersburg Marriott Wash. Ctr.
Giant Food
Girl Scout Troop #4510
Girl Scout Troop #4747
Glen Haven E.S.
The Goddard School
Goodman-Gbale-Gould/Adjusters International
Guggenheim Investments
Hallman Orthodontics
Harris Teeter
Harry Gudelsky Enterprises, LLC
Health & Human Rsrcs./Ofc. of Commty. Affrs.
Henry Jackson Foundation
Herbert Hoover M.S.
Hines GS Properties, Inc.
Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church
Howard & Jacqueline Chertkof Foundation
Illinois Tool Works Foundation
International Language Institute
Jackson Road E.S.
James Hubert Blake H.S.
Jen Family Charitable Trust
Jewish War Vet. Ladies Aux.
Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
Julius West M.S.
Kaiser Permanente
Kensington Park Senior Living
Kinder Care
Kirby Family Fund
KS Kuts
Larry E. Paul Certified Financial Planner
Leaders Institute
Leisure World
Living Faith Lutheran Church
Maryland Soccer Plex
Mass Mutual Greater Washington
Master Gardeners, MC
Medstar Montgomery Medical Center
Milestone Apartment Homes
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Fleet Management Services
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Montgomery County Thrift Shop Board
National Council of Jewish Women
National Lutheran Communities & Services
Neelsville M.S.
NIST
North Chevy Chase E.S.
Northwest H.S.
Norwood School
Old Georgetown Village Condos
Olney Help
Opus Yoga
Osher at Johns Hopkins University
Otsuka America Pharmeceutical, Inc.
Paint Branch H.S.
Parkside Condominium
Penzey Spice Company
People's Community Baptist Church
Progressions Salon
Propp Family Foundation
Ralph S. & Frances R. Dweck Family Fdn., Inc.
RegenxBio Inc.
Response Tech
Rockville Running Club
Roots
Safeway
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
Sanders Foundation
Sequoyah E.S.
Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
Sheldor Charitable Fund
Sherwood H.S.
Silver Spring Presbyterian Church
Sodexo Foundation
St. James Childrens School
St. Jude Regional Catholic School
St. Mary's Catholic Church
State of Maryland
Stephen Knolls School
TD Charitable Foundation
Temple Emanuel
Therrien Waddell Construction
Thomas W. Pyle M.S.
Trader Joe's
True Buddha Temple
Twinbrook Community Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
Village of Martin's Additions
Voortman Cookies
Walter Johnson H.S.
Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church
Washington Sikh Center
Waters Landing E.S.
Wegmans
Whole Foods Market
Woman's Club of Chevy Chase
Wraase Family 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 

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