Dear Manna,

Ever since the fabulous, enjoyable, and humbling farewell party at Manna Food Center’s warehouse last month, I have been writing this letter in my head. First off, I want to share a deep thanks to the Board and staff who made the evening so memorable, including the speakers who made me feel so special with official and personal recognitions. I treasure the array of folks who turned out to share memories, celebrate partnership, and swap tips on how to make the most of the free time I am privileged to anticipate in 2025. The extraordinary evening left me gob-smacked by the esteem, affection, and commitment to common values. I also appreciate the notes from near and far of those who were with us in spirit. The community spirit was in the air that night, and it is something I will never forget.  



As I’ve been reflecting on our 11 years together, I have so much to say. Because I am not always known for being succinct, the Manna communications team offered to record a video to help me share.  Please take a look—it runs less than one minute per year! 


I also hope you will use this end of the year—often full of hustle and bustle—to take a moment of reflection yourself.  If you are reading this newsletter, you have been in some way engaged with Manna’s mission of sharing food, educating, and advocating to end hunger. That commitment means you are someone special. I hope you take into account the importance of what you do and how you do it.   

  

To wrap up, I want to give a special thanks to the staff and Board of Manna for moving our organization forward toward a vision of Food for All.  Former Board Chair, Holly Wong, will be serving as interim director in January as the Board finalizes the process of selecting a new CEO.    

  

As best you can, keep supporting Manna and its principles of being service-driven, community centered, and transformational. To quote Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who helped lead South Africa to overcome apartheid, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” 


Warmly,

Jackie DeCarlo

CEO, Manna Food Center

KIND Merger - Welcome to the Mannaverse

We are thrilled to share some big news: the volunteer-led Kids In Need Distributors (KIND) has joined Manna Food Center! This union means we're welcoming 31 new schools to our program, expanding our reach 85 schools in the new year. This growth is only possible because of your support and is a sign of Manna’s commitment to being community centered. We are grateful to the KIND team to be in a position to broaden our network of schools. 

Holiday Closures & Inclement Weather Policy

Manna will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th for Christmas Day, and Wednesday, January 1st for New Years Day. Outside of those two closures we will remain open at our normal hours.


With winter comes the chance of inclement weather closings. Manna follows the Montgomery County Government decisions around weather-based delays and closures – which will also be posted on our website and social media!  

Young Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger

As we wrap up the year, we're in awe of the incredible work our young supporters have done to fight hunger in Montgomery County. Let us share an inspiring story that showcases the power of youth in action: 


Gloria, 18, has been leading a club at her high school dedicated to fighting hunger for two years. She shared 


"I used to live in a community where a lot of my friends and classmates depended on food support programs. After moving to a new area, I noticed that people didn't seem as aware of food insecurity, and it felt like there wasn't as much focus on it."

Read the rest of the story

ICYMI - Manna in the News

Manna Food Center was featured in an article discussing the ongoing efforts to improve wages for food bank workers, highlighting the importance of equitable pay structures in the nonprofit sector. Click the link to read the full article and learn more about Manna's initiatives and the broader context of wage improvements in food banks. 

Click Here

Heroes Against Hunger 2025:

Nominate Your Heroes!

Nominations are now open for our 2025 Heroes Against Hunger Awards! This annual event celebrates outstanding individuals, corporations, and community organizations making a significant impact in the fight against hunger in Montgomery County.   


Nomination Deadline: January 31, 2025 


We encourage self-nominations and multiple nominations- don't miss this opportunity to celebrate those taking action! To nominate your heroes, please visit our online nomination form 


Stay Tuned! Heroes Against Hunger will be held in Spring 2025. For sponsorship opportunities please visit our online sponsorship form.  


For more information about the event, please visit https://www.mannafood.org/heroesagainsthunger/ 


Questions? Please email Camila Ferguson-Sierra at camila@mannafood.org

Winter Recipe - Chili Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Bowls

View the Recipe - English/Español
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