Anne, a MANNA volunteer, greets neighbors at the Asheville Mall Pop-Up Market.

MANNA Fresh News

March 2025

It’s been five months since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, creating upheaval for countless families—and for MANNA FoodBank as well. Floodwaters demolished our warehouses, food inventory, equipment, and IT infrastructure. In an unprecedented moment, MANNA became the first food bank in Feeding America’s history to experience a total operational loss. Yet in the face of that devastation, we never stopped feeding the thousands of neighbors who were already struggling with food insecurity before the storm. 

Hear directly from our CEO Claire Neal as she gives an update on the state of MANNA FoodBank and our partner network.

Rallying Support in a Time of Crisis 

When our primary facility was destroyed, we quickly established emergency distribution hubs at the WNC Farmers Market so we could continue getting food to the people who needed it most. The outpouring of community support was incredible—from volunteers to partner agencies to individual donors. Even before we had a clear picture of the long road ahead, caring people stepped in to help us stand up makeshift operations. 



Financial support was also critical in these early days. The Concert for the Carolinas, a benefit concert organized by renowned musician Luke Combs, played a pivotal role in raising emergency relief funds. Within weeks, this event alone raised over $3.1 million for MANNA. These funds were critical in two essential ways. They quickly helped us with the bare essential things that were destroyed in the flood that we needed to just be able to receive and distribute much needed food, while simultaneously allowing MANNA to get food out to people across our 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary every day since this unthinkable disaster began.  

The Concert for the Carolinas is just one example of the transformative generosity provided by our major donors who have stood by us during this crisis, and we are immensely grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from compassionate individuals across our region and the country. To date, MANNA has received $37 million in crucial aid. Every dollar given has been instrumental in our disaster relief efforts for our neighbors across WNC, and also in helping to lay the essential foundation for long-term recovery.  

Because of your incredible support and that of so many others, together, you have and are making it possible for MANNA to: 



• Distribute 9.2 million pounds of food—equating to 7.6 million meals for families across the region. 
• Offered special holiday meal distributions, delivering turkeys, hams, and pies to thousands of families. 
• Provided essential support to 50+ partner agencies, equipping them with resources like coolers, generators, and propane. 
• Expanded school-based food assistance to more than 104 schools and after-school programs. 
• Experienced an amazing surge in volunteerism, welcoming almost 3,000 new volunteers to our work. 

Though we’ve come a long way, the need has only intensified. People across WNC continue to face job losses, housing challenges, and other hardships made worse by the storm. We know we must remain committed to meeting that need far into the future. 

The storm accelerated MANNA’s transition to a new facility in Mills River—a space secured just days after Helene. The 84,000-square-foot warehouse is now filled to capacity, but significant investments are underway to fund the upfit to make it fully operational for long-term food security in Western North Carolina.

We are elated and immensely grateful to share the critical upgrades that we are working on now include:

• The construction of our 15,400 sq. ft cooler and freezer, which is beginning this month with the support of so many generous supporters.
• Equipment replacement, including forklifts, pallet jacks, and refrigerated trailers, all lost in the flood.
• Installing the required sprinkler system and permanent racking for food storage.



One of the many partners on the frontlines is Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff, led by Director Starli McDowell.

Before Helene, they relocated to the TRACTOR Food and Farms facility because their old location was too small. We helped them move essential equipment just in time. 

“During the storm, we became a trusted place for food distribution and information-sharing,” said McDowell. “People had no food, no water, and no internet. It was a true community effort—everyone started sharing whatever they had, and we pooled those resources together.” 

With the local Ingles grocery store flooded, people from all walks of life turned to Shepherd’s Staff for help. 

“Rich and poor families were coming to us for food. MANNA has been continuously bringing us supplies, and it’s been invaluable,” McDowell continued. 

In January, they served a record 1,271 households, a number that continues to climb. 



“The storm has changed us,” said McDowell. “But we’ve been here for 40 years, and we’ll continue to serve our community, even when the temporary emergency resources leave.” 

Looking ahead, they hope to expand their capacity: 

“We need more capacity. A new warehouse and pantry space on the TRACTOR Food and Farms property is crucial for us to meet the growing demand. We are calling this our ‘barn raise’ project—an effort to create a larger food hub that will help us serve more families in need.” 



Shepherd's Staff's community hub following Hurricane Helene.

Stories like Shepherd’s Staff illustrate the incredible resilience of our partner network.



In the next three years, we estimate needing $112 million to maintain our food distribution, fully rebuild our operations, and ensure no one in WNC goes hungry. We know it’s a long road ahead, but this community has proven again and again that, when people are in need, we show up. From all of us at MANNA, thank you for being part of this extraordinary community of support. We remain determined to keep moving forward—together. 



Governor Josh Stein hosts a press conference at MANNA FoodBank to discuss plans for rebuilding WNC.

We’re thrilled to share our Impact Report for October 1 – December 31, highlighting the incredible work made possible by your support. Every meal distributed, every family served, and every step forward in recovery is thanks to this community. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to ensuring Western North Carolina returns stronger than ever.

The Pop-Up Market at the Asheville Mall was an incredible success. Together, we were able to serve 154 households, for a total of 484 individuals! Thank you so much to all who attended, the volunteers who made this a smooth event, and the Asheville Mall.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ingles Markets. Due to the generosity of the annual Ingles Giving Tree, we were able to provide these pantry staples to the community at large. This food will be deeply cherished by the people that received it. The Giving Tree is truly a gift that never stops giving.

We are also very excited to announce that, due to the overwhelming positive reception to the market, we will be holding a second pop-up at the Mall on Wednesday, March 18 from 12-1:30 PM. Please help us spread the word!

On March 26^th, Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving – 100% of sales for the day will be donated to MANNA. What better way to support our mission then by eating a delicious sub.

Stop by any of the participating restaurants to participate in the Day of Giving:

East

104A River Hills Road 

Asheville, NC 28805-2545

South

1816 Hendersonville Road # 20

Asheville, NC 28803-3207

West

1341 Parkwood Road Suite 103

Asheville, NC 28806-8703

Airport

300 Airport Rd. Unit 70

Arden, NC 28704-9257



Get ready to uncork an unforgettable afternoon in downtown Asheville! Wander through unique local businesses. Sip hand-selected wines from around the globe. Support a fantastic cause—a portion of the proceeds benefit MANNA! Grab your friends, your walking shoes (heels optional), and your best wine-drinking attitude for a day of fun, flavor, and community vibes.

When: March 30th from 2 - 5 pm

Where: Downtown Asheville

Tickets are limited, so snag yours now and let's turn a stroll into something extraordinary!

Tickets can be purchased here.



Did You Know...

From the privacy of your own home, use real time tools to better understand easy, alternative ways to give and earn income now, while making an impact later. Let these tools help you identify your short- and long-term interests and needs.

Take a load off and let us share these alternative ways to give and earn. Try our user friendly website and tools by clicking here.

To learn more about alternative giving vehicles, contact Director of Philanthropic Engagement, Chad Conaty at cconaty@mannafoodbank.org or via phone at 828 774-5910.

THANK YOU

Thank you for being part of our extended MANNA family. Your kindness fuels our resilience, and together, we will continue to restore hope and rebuild stronger than ever before.  

To rebuilding together,

MANNA FoodBank

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