Greetings!

As October comes to a close, we recognize how challenging these unpredictable times are for our community. The uncertainty can be scary - and not the fun scary I hope you can enjoy this Halloween.

Last week, I joined NBC to talk about how Manna is navigating what I called a “perfect storm” — and how our community can come together to respond. You can watch the full interview here:

We’re deeply grateful for how our neighbors continue to step up for one another. Right now, financial contributions are the most effective way to help Manna meet the growing need. You can also make a difference by organizing a food drive or advocating for policies that support food security in Montgomery County.

Stay tuned for more news on how Manna is responding to the continued shutdown and  working to ensure everyone in our county has access to good food.

With deep gratitude,

Craig Rice

CEO, Manna Food Center

Laughs, Costumes, and a Cause! 🎃😂

Need a last minute halloween plan? Get ready for a spooktacular night of comedy—all for a great cause! Join us this Halloween night, October 31st at 8PM at Give a Hoot Comedy Club in Gaithersburg for a frightfully funny evening benefiting Manna Food Center and our fight against hunger in Montgomery County. 

🎭 Costumes are highly encouraged—come dressed to impress (or scare!)

🎟️ Proceeds from ticket sales support local families facing food insecurity 



Don’t miss your chance to laugh ‘til you drop (dead)! 👻 

Serving Up Fun and Fighting Hunger! 🏓Pickleball Tournament  

Manna had a blast at the 3rd annual Paddle for a Purpose charity pickleball tournament with B.F. Saul Insurance—and all for a great cause! Thanks to the incredible generosity of players and supporters, we raised over $12,000 to end hunger in Montgomery County. 

So many players also brought food donations for a chance to win exciting raffle prizes, making an even bigger impact. 

A huge thank you to everyone who played, donated, and rallied together to make this event such a success! 

Expanding Our Voucher Program

Manna has taken a big step forward in expanding our voucher program—deepening our reach into the Vietnamese community through a new partnership with Vietnamese American Services (VAS). Together, we’ve connected 160 new families with access to fresh, culturally familiar foods. 

Thanks to this collaboration, we’re also thrilled to welcome two beloved local grocers into our network: Hung Phat in Wheaton and Angkor Supermarket in Silver Spring. 

What does this expansion mean for families? Hear it in their own words…

New Food Justice Coalition

We have now also officially launched the Montgomery County Food Justice Coalition, with our first meeting on September 29th, and the next set for November 10th! The Food Justice Coalition is a space where community members can take leadership in collectively envisioning, strategizing, and organizing towards a Montgomery County where everyone has access to delicious and nutritious food! We aim to develop feasible grassroots solutions and build movement with other coalitions.

During our first meeting, our phenomenal and engaged attendees identified the several systemic problems county residents face in accessing food. We also collectively imagined 1, 5, and 20 years into a future where everyone in the county can eat well, and built community together over a shared meal and our shared experiences.

The Food Justice Coalition is a space for all to get involved! If you, your loved ones, or anyone in your community is looking to help transform our food system, RSVP to our next meeting the button below, or email our Advocacy Manager, Akanksha (AK) Sinha at akanksha@mannafood.org.   

What is National Estate Planning Awareness Week?

Did you know that nearly 2 out of 3 American adults still don’t have an up-to-date will? 

That’s why this October, National Estate Planning Awareness Week, is so important. It’s a reminder to take a simple yet powerful step to protect your loved ones, plan for the future, and support the causes that matter to you, like fighting hunger in Montgomery County.  

We’ve partnered with FreeWill to make this step easier than ever. In just 20 minutes, you can create or update your will for free and find additional resources to plan wisely.

Chickpea and Chard Stew 🍲 

As the weather cools down, what's more cozy than a warm stew? This chickpea and chard stew is full of healthy veggies, bright flavors, and delicious spices. Chickpeas are packed full of protein and fiber, making this stew a vegan super-meal. This recipe is featured in our markets this month!