The Current Situation
For the estimated 63,000 people who regularly experience hunger and food insecurity in Montgomery County, COVID-19 presents unique challenges. Our low-income families, particularly seniors on fixed incomes, often don't have the resources to stockpile groceries and supplies. They certainly don’t have the ability to weather the two week self-quarantine that the CDC recommends as a crucial step in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
As schools and child care centers close, student access to free and reduced-price meals is compromised.
Additionally, the 3,070 students who typically receive a healthy Smart Sacks bag are in danger of not having that food resource over the weekends. Parents may have to forego work in order to be with their children at home, losing essential wages. Unfortunately, that is the reality right now for many neighbors who live pay check-to-pay check.
We need your help
to ensure that Manna can purchase the supplies needed to respond to these primary and secondary hardships our neighbors are preparing to confront.