MANNA MESSAGE
November, 2018
Introducing New MANNA FoodBank
Partner Advisory Council
MANNA is now accepting applications for the brand new Partner Advisory Council. This Council will give a voice to the whole network and guide MANNA in setting goals and developing solutions that benefit all of our agency partners. Our hope is to help our partners to see themselves as part of a larger network working together to end hunger in WNC, while getting a better understanding of the challenges agencies face. MANNA is starting this Partner Advisory Council because we believe that we are stronger together and your feedback and ideas are invaluable to MANNA.

What are the Responsibilities?
  • Provide recommendations and feedback to MANNA FoodBank staff regarding policies, programs, and new initiatives
  • Serve as a board of agency peers to receive and address agency questions and concerns
  • Identify, prioritize, and develop strategies to strengthen our agency network’s capacity to better feed hungry people nourishing food
  • Communicate best practices to the larger network
  • Represent agencies in your county / region by listening and sharing ideas and concerns

What is the Time Investment?
  • This council will meet every other month throughout 2019 – the meetings will be a total of 2 hours in length.
  • The total time commitment for the 2019 Calendar year will 12 – 15 hours.

Where will the meetings be held?
  • The location of the meetings will rotate across our service area.

Please represent your county/region on our Council. We need strong community partners like you to give a voice to WNC.
For more information (including the application): Click here
For any questions please email: [email protected]
2019 Agency Agreement Info
Dear Partner Agencies,

We, at MANNA, are grateful every day for our partners. This year, we spent time reflecting on our Annual Agreement and made several changes to offer the very best information we could on the rules, regulations, and expectations of being a partner agency with MANNA FoodBank, an affiliate of Feeding America. The rules and requirements outlined in the agreement are intended to keep food safe and ensure anyone in need is provided nourishing food and the best experience and service possible by MANNA FoodBank and our partner agencies. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and reflect on these documents.

Our 2019 Annual Agreement can be found on our website and includes three documents:
  • 2019 Annual Agreement
  • Addendum A (Agency Suspension Policy)
  • Addendum B (Grey Areas Worksheet)
Upcoming MANNA Closure Information

  • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22-23, 2018 (THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY)
  • DECEMBER 24-25 (CHRISTMAS)
  • DECEMBER 31, 2018-JANUARY 1, 2019 (NEW YEARS EVE & NEW YEARS DAY)

Please plan accordingly, and be sure to consider these closures when shopping and placing your online order. Contact Glenda Gragg if you have any questions at 828-299-3663 x1227.
Inclement Weather Information
1) Using your mobile device, you can sign up to receive text updates about MANNA weather delays & closings. To subscribe to these updates, text APPLE to 51555.
2) Or, call MANNA at 828-299-3663 after 6:30 a.m. You will hear a message with information regarding MANNA weather-related delays or closings. It will also indicate the status of our mobile deliveries for that day. The message will ask agencies receiving a mobile that day to call Warehouse Manager Lee Short at 828-299-3663 x 1260 if they aren't able to meet the truck.
Holiday Boxes are Back and Better Than Ever!
As the holiday season quickly approaches, many people are already thinking ahead about preparing budget-friendly meals for their families; but sometimes large meals can be costly and time consuming. Holiday Food Boxes are a great way to offer clients a convenient meal kit that they can put together in minutes! Each box feeds a family of four (that's less than $3.00 per serving) of some tasty traditional holiday favorites! This year we are offering two different Holiday Food Box options. Preview the item descriptions below and order today before they are gone!
Holiday Box With Ham 
$12/box (pictured above)
The contents include:
(1) Canned Ham 16oz, 
(1) Cranberry Sauce 14oz, 
(1) Stuffing Mix 6oz, 
(2) 7.25oz Macaroni & Cheese, 
(2) 15oz Canned Yams, 
(2) 15oz Green Beans, 
(2) 15oz Canned Corn, 
(2) Carrots 
(1) 13.3oz Instant Mashed Potatoes
Holiday Food Box Without Ham  $10/box
The contents include:
(1) Cranberry Sauce 14oz, 
(1) Stuffing Mix 6oz, 
(2) 7.25oz Macaroni & Cheese, 
(2) 15oz Canned Yams, 
(2) 15oz Green Beans, 
(2) 15oz Canned Corn, 
(2) 15 oz Carrots 
(1) 13.3oz Instant Mashed Potatoes
Nutrition Corner
November is American Diabetes Month
Contributed by WCU Nutrition and Dietetics student Kristen Miles
Though there are three types of diabetes, the most common is type 2. Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where a person's cells cannot use insulin, a hormone that works like a key to allow cells to take up blood sugar for energy. People with diabetes are more likely to develop disease and complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations, and kidney disease. Early identification and treatment of type 2 can help reduce the likelihood of these complications. Living an overall healthy lifestyle can help prevent type 2 diabetes, but some people are more likely to develop the disease than others due to genetics, environment, and other factors.
Here are some recommendations for reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
  • If you are overweight, losing just 5% - 7% of your body weight can reduce your risk
  • Start a physical activity if you do not already engage in regular exercise. Aim for 150 minutes a week, or 30 minutes on 5 days to get the most benefit
  • Eat regular meals that include foods from several different food groups
  • Learn ways to manage stress effectively
Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2.   Toss all ingredients in large bowl, then arrange coated squash on a baking sheet
3.   Roast in oven until squash is tender and lightly browned, 25-30 minutes
Additional Budget-Friendly Recipe Resource
Budgetbytes.com is a website that offers delicious recipes designed for small budgets. This would be a great resource to share with those at your pantry with access to the internet! Follow the link below to visit the site directly:
November 2018
TEFAP items become available on a first-come, first-serve basis when they arrive at MANNA. All items may not be available for the duration of the month and quantities are subject to change. The following items are scheduled to arrive this quarter:

  • Dry Small Red Beans
  • Dry Pinto Beans
  • Frozen Ground Beef (40/1 lb chubs)
  • Yellow Cheddar Cheese Shredded (6/5lb Bags)
  • Dried Cherries
  • Frozen Whole Chickens
  • Canned Corn
  • Dry Lentils
  • Orange Juice
  • Spaghetti
  • Canned Peaches
  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Peas
  • Dried Pitted Plums
  • Frozen Pork Chops (40/1 lb Bags)
  • Canned Pink Salmon
  • Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
  • Canned Tomato Sauce
  • Fresh Milk
  • Chicken Leg Quarters

*Weekly shipments of fresh milk (shelf life - 10 days)*

What's TEFAP , you might ask? T he E mergency F ood A ssistance P rogram is a federal program (also known as "commodities") that comes from the Farm Bill. This program is limited to pantries only and allocated by county. Pantries must apply and be approved to administer this food. For more information on becoming a TEFAP agency, contact Amy Haynes at (828) 299-3663 x1234.
November 2018
We currently have the following items available in SAM:

  • Apples
  • Assorted Pasta
  • Canned Green Beans
  • Sliced Carrots
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Canned Corn
  • Chicken Broth
  • Brown Rice
  • Corn Muffin Mix
  • Apple Sauce
What's SAM? SAM is an acronym for State Appropriated Money and it is a state funded nutritional food program. Although the name has changed, the program is still the same!

These products are available to order at no cost, so be sure to take advantage of this great program!


TEFAP MILK UPDATE
Did you know Clients can pick up TEFAP milk multiple times a week?
We have recently been notified by the USDA that clients can visit the pantry up to two times a week to pick up milk. This is a great resource if you are having trouble getting out the TEFAP milk supply. Please be aware you will still need to have the milk forms filled out as normal.

Also, We are in need of card board milk boxes. Please return them either to MANNA or on the MANNA mobile trucks.
Don't Take This Opportunity for Granted!
The Walmart Community Grant Program is accepting applications through December 31,2018! Community Grants range from $250 to $5,000.
Other Helpful Grant Resources
MANNA Partner Orientation
Are you or someone at your agency interested in attending an orientation session? If so, please select a session from the options listed on the sign-up form by clicking the "Sign-Up Here" link to the right.
Upcoming Orientation Dates*
-Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
-Wednesday, March 13th, 2019
-Thursday, June 13th, 2019
-Thursday, September 12th, 2019
-Thursday, December 12th, 2019
*All orientations are held at MANNA FoodBank in Laurel's Kitchen
Important Inventory Reminders
To ensure that our inventory count lines up with what we are actually distributing to our partner network, we ask that you all make sure to check the following when you receive or pick up your order from MANNA:
  • Check that product ordered (from your invoice) matches physical count of items you received
  • Pay close attention to TEFAP items especially, and make sure you receive accurate amounts of each item. Any TEFAP leftovers should always be directly reported to MANNA.
  • If there are any discrepancies in inventory vs. what was actually ordered, please contact Glenda Gragg (x1227) or Tim Williams (x1240).
Mobile Delivery Schedule
October-December 2018
REMINDERS: Before dialing up the driver, remember: Every time someone calls, they must pull off the road to answer the phone, causing additional delays. If you have any questions, contact our Warehouse Manager Lee Short at (828) 299-3663 x1260.

Please ask your volunteers to allow a 30 minute window before and after your expected MANNA delivery. Our drivers work very hard to arrive on time, but they may experience unforeseen setbacks while on the road. Giving them this window helps them to stay on track.

Please be on the lookout for communication regarding when orders must be placed for the mobile holiday schedule.

Click here to view the October-December 2018 mobile schedule
Food and Nutrition Services Helpline
Need more MANNA Food Helpline Posters?

MANNA Food Helpline promotional materials are now available for order! Packets include 25 small posters (with phone number tear offs) and 100 business cards. If you need other materials or different quantities, please contact your zone coordinator.

MANNA Helpline information is
free and confidential!
Amy Haynes
Agency Relations Manager
Direct Line: (828)299-3663 x1234
Malarie McGalliard
Agency Capacity and Compliance Coordinator & MANNA Express Coordinator
Direct Line: (828)299-3663 x1250


Josh Hoerman
Eastern Zone Outreach Coordinator
Avery, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey
Direct Line: (217) 417-7446
Phil Carland
Central Zone Outreach Coordinator
Henderson, Polk, Haywood, Transylvania
Direct Line: (828) 290-5937
Amy Sims
Western Zone Outreach Coordinator
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain
Direct Line: (828)299-3663 x1279
As we continue to work towards our vision of a hunger-free WNC, we are building a community of individuals that are interested in taking action steps towards supporting anti-hunger initiatives. In order to focus these efforts, we want to know:
Would you like to receive emails related to hunger advocacy actions in WNC?
Yes
No
If you answered yes, we will add you to an email list dedicated to local and regional hunger advocacy actions. Thank you for your compassion for the work to end hunger for more than 100,000 people in Western North Carolina.

MANNA FoodBank is a non-partisan nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing information about hunger and the issues that affect the people we serve.

627 Swannanoa River Road
Asheville, NC 28805-2445

Phone: 828-299-3663
Fax: 828-299-3664