Join the movement to end hunger.

FRESH NEWS SEPTEMBER 2017

FRESH NEWS from MANNA FoodBank

A Monthly Newsletter for MANNA Supporters

HURRICANE RELIEF: Click here to take action!

Join the Movement...

Take Action Here in WNC for

Hunger Action Month!

Find Ways to Take Action Against Hunger All Month and All Year!

Hunger Action Month is a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger and join the movement to help end hunger! Here at MANNA FoodBank, we are asking: What does it mean to take action on hunger? This month, we have a few ways you can take action to raise awareness about the serious impact hunger has on so many people in our community, and across the country.

Our Hunger Action Month calendar is a great way to see what opportunities are available to take action against hunger. There are big events happening across Western North Carolina in September that directly address the issue of hunger, like Ingles Day at the Mountain State Fair on September 13th , the Annual Hunger Walk in Henderson County on September 16th , and our Empty Bowls fundraiser on September 25th .

There are also smaller actions you can take throughout the month to address hunger on a personal level, such as taking the FNS (food stamp) challenge to eat on $4 for a day , eating at The Cantina in Biltmore Village and donating your side dishes as a donation to MANNA, using your smartphone to make a donation by texting ‘MANNA’ to 41444 , or signing up to volunteer at MANNA or any of our 220 partner pantries across WNC. (You can find a list of our partner pantries on our Food Finder page .)

Click here to download MANNA’s Hunger Action Month calendar and see what actions you can take in September to help us eradicate hunger.

Asheville Hotels Come Together for a Major Hunger Action Month Initiative:

Sweet Dreams, Full Plates:

Hospitality Feeding Families

Over 25 Hotels Are Competing to Raise Money to Feed Families Facing Hunger

Sweet Dreams, Full Plates is a major collaboration launched in 2017 by local hotels in the Asheville area as a response to the issue of hunger in Western North Carolina. Sweet Dreams, Full Plates takes place throughout the month of September, coinciding with national Hunger Action Month.

This year, over 25 hotels are competing against one another for a wonderful cause—to raise money for MANNA FoodBank, the regional food bank located in Asheville, NC, serving the 16 Western-most counties of North Carolina.

Participating hotels engage hotel guests throughout the month of September to make an impact with their visit. Guest participation is simple: Hotel guests can choose to forgo stay-over services by placing a special door hanger on their room door handle. The special hanger says “We Fed A Family!” and for every room that chooses to participate, the hotel makes a $2 donation on their behalf. With each $2 donation, MANNA can provide enough food for 7 meals to people across Western North Carolina.

Check out the participating hotels at SweetDreamsFullPlates.org!

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Thursday, Aug. 31: Pint Night at Hi-Wire

Hunger Action Month Kickoff, 4-11PM

Help us kick off Hunger Action Month on August 31 by heading over to Hi-Wire Brewing’s downtown Asheville location (197 Hilliard Avenue) between 4PM and 11PM, and have a local brew to support MANNA! Hi-Wire Brewing is donating 15% of the day’s proceeds as part of the first Hops for Hunger campaign to support MANNA’s daily work to move food to thousands of families across Western North Carolina. Bring a friend or three, and enjoy responsibly knowing that your beer purchase is benefiting an excellent local cause!

Wednesday, Sept. 13: Ingles Day at the Mountain State Fair

Our favorite food drive of the year is back! Bring 5 cans of Laura Lynn-brand products to the Mountain State Fair on Wednesday, September 13, and get free entry into the fair! It's a great way to teach kids about giving back, and helps refill pantry shelves across WNC.

Thursday, Sept. 14:

HUNGER ACTION DAY

Help us bring awareness to the issue of hunger by wearing orange. Orange is the color of hunger awareness, so sport your orange gear on September 14th, and tell people why. Learn a few of the local facts about hunger, and help MANNA spread awareness for this issue by sharing that with family, coworkers, friends, and neighbors. By simply understanding a little more about why families in WNC are struggling to keep food on the table, YOU are taking action, standing with millions across the country, united in the work to end hunger.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 12-1PM:

Lunch & Learn: Childhood Hunger in WNC

For Hunger Action Month, MANNA is opening our Lunch & Learn series to the public with a panel discussion about the state of child hunger in our region. This event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, Sept. 18. Bring a bagged lunch, and we will provide drinks, plates and utensils.

Monday, September 25:

16th Annual EMPTY BOWLS!

This year celebrates the 16th year of MANNA FoodBank’s Empty Bowls fundraisers. Attendees choose a bowl hand-made by local artisans and enjoy a meal of soup, bread, and dessert. The bowl they take home reminds them of all the empty bowls in the world.

Everything for the event is donated: the soup, the event space, the desserts, and over 1,000 hand-made ceramic bowls. This allows for all the profits to go directly toward feeding our neighbors facing hunger in Western North Carolina.

GET TICKETS NOW!

KOHL'S CARES: Taking Action Year Round

Kohl's employees are regular visitors to our Volunteer Center, and thanks to their dedication to taking action on a regular basis, Kohl's Foundation has donated to MANNA on their behalf! This donation will help MANNA provide the food for over 15,750 meals for families in WNC.

The 25th Annual Ingles Giving Tree:

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES!

We are hitting a very exciting milestone this year with one of our longest, closest local food donors and partners in hunger relief! This year marks the 25th year of the Ingles Giving Tree at the Asheville Mall! This tree is built in the mall's atrium and is made completely out of food: 20,000 pounds of food donated directly from the Ingles warehouse in Black Mountain.

This year, we are hoping to share memories of the Giving Tree from the last 24 years, and we need your help! If you have photos, stories, or ways that the Giving Tree has touched you or your family, please share them with us! You can email your stories and photos to Kara Irani, [email protected]. We hope to share your stories, either anonymously or publicly with your permission, throughout the holiday season!

GIFTS, AWARDS + RECOGNITION

It takes many individuals, businesses, foundations, and nonprofits to keep the flow of food moving to thousands of families facing hunger right now in Western North Carolina. In 2016, thanks to the many hands that help, MANNA moved over 37,500 meals-worth of food every day of the year.

1st Annual Hops for Hunger Results!

We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to our local beer partners teaming up with us for July's 1st Hops for Hunger campaign, MANNA can provide the food for over 27,000 meals!! Thank you, Beer City! Click here to see the list of participating breweries on our site. The next time you visit, please thank them for their efforts to address hunger for families across WNC.

Food on the Table: Supporter Spotlight, September 2017

Over the last few years, MANNA staff, volunteers, and partners have watched as the number of WNC residents seeking emergency food support grows. In 2016, MANNA distributed over 13.6 million meals across WNC.