Hello Manna,

Fall has definitely arrived in the region, and I hope you have enjoyed the crisp air and beautiful colors it brings. This time of year always prompts me to reflect with a spirit of gratitude, and I’m filled with appreciation for the opportunities of service, education, and advocacy that have defined Manna Food Center’s activities that supporters like you make possible.

One highlight of Manna’s October that I want to share has been the return of cooking classes aboard Manny, Manna’s Mobile Kitchen and Bus. Due to COVID-19, cooking classes from our Community Food Education team had been conducted online, but this month brought a return to in-person classes. The students of South Lake Elementary, for example, climbed aboard for a cooking glass, learning valuable knife skills and exercising their creative expression as they built their own parfaits. Thanks to school partners, volunteers, and Manna staff, the class was a success in giving the kids the skills and interest in cooking yummy and nutritious foods. I’m grateful for collaborations like these that bring smiles to the students’ faces and energize all involved for the future ahead.

Later in this letter you can read about some other exciting collaborations with local partners in our community, like the teams at &pizza and WUSA9, as well as listen to my conversation on food waste in the county with Nycci Nellis on Industry Night. Lastly, Manna is so honored to be named as Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce. We thank GRCC for recognizing our efforts to #EndHunger in Montgomery County and bring us one step closer to Food For All.

Wishing you a restful and safe fall season!

Jackie DeCarlo

CEO, Manna Food Center

In Case You Missed It:

Manna is honored to be named Non-Profit of the Year by The Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce in the 2022 GRCC Rockstar Awards! This award recognizes outstanding practices among Rockville's diverse not-for-profit organizations, focusing on those creating a lasting and beneficial impact for Rockville residents and setting a strong example for other non-profits in the community.We're thrilled to be recognized by our community in Rockville along with the other award winners.

GRCC invites all who wish to attend the awards reception at the Manor Country Club in Rockville on November 3, 2022, where Manna will be honored. For more information on this event, please click here.

Listen in!

All smiles for the newest episode of Industry Night with Nycci Nellis! Tune into a recent episode to hear Aaron Dante, Nycci Nellis, and Jackie DeCarlo talk about the exciting happenings during DMV Food Recovery Week and Manna's long-term work to #feedmore and #wasteless!

Listen to the episode here!

Food Drive Alert

We’re teaming up again with our friends at WUSA9 for another Giant food drive in Gaithersburg! Happening Friday, November 4th from 6am-6:30pm, tune into WUSA9 broadcasts to see some familiar faces talk about hunger in our community or come contribute to the drive in person at Giant: 229 Kentlands Blvd, Gaithersburg! Food drives are a great way to reconnect with our community and collect some nutritious non-perishables at the same time.

Manna’s team has grown! Meet some new faces

Xandra Coleman (SNAP Outreach Coordinator at Manna Food)

My name is Xandra Coleman (she/her), and I am the new SNAP Outreach Coordinator at Manna Food Center. Since my first experience volunteering at a CSA farm outside of Philadelphia, I have been passionate about food justice. That passion drove me to work with a number of other farms and organizations that were focused on striving for food and environmental justice for folks living in and around the DMV. In April of 2022, I accepted the position at Manna Food Center where I have been working alongside the team at Manna to provide assistance and advocacy for participants trying to navigate the application process for federal benefits. It has been exciting to assist in expanding the services we are able to offer our participants beyond the monthly food box. When I am off work, I love to run, garden, and check out the local farmer’s markets!

Annarose Kennedy (Community Food Rescue Coordinator)

I grew up in Gaithersburg, MD, and after graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, I came back to the county I was raised in in search of meaningful work. When the pandemic started in 2020, I began volunteering with DC Mutual Aid, composed of collective community members working to aid neighbors in need. Along with other volunteers, I operated the Ward 3 hotline, where I took down grocery orders for low income and immunocompromised neighbors. Throughout my time with Mutual Aid, I realized my long-term interest in focusing on food security issues. I was very eager to learn more about Manna’s mission when I saw the CFR Coordinator position posting, and after reading the goals and objectives of the center I knew I felt connected to the work.

Camila Ferguson-Sierra (Donor Relations Coordinator)

Camila helps provide customer service to donors, works with our database, and supports the Development and Communications team’s fundraising efforts. She is the daughter of Colombian and Bahamian immigrants and was born in Miami, but raised in the Hudson Valley area of New York. Camila has a background in Conservation Biology and Food Studies, which fueled her passion for environmental and food justice work.

She was initially drawn to Manna’s mission, strong commitment to the community it serves, and the opportunity to directly contribute to the fight against hunger in Montgomery County.

Craving pizza?

In need of a quick weeknight dinner? The good folks over at &pizza are hosting a fundraiser benefiting Manna on Monday, November 7th. From 4-8pm, at 570 N Frederick Ave, Gathersburg, MD 20878. 50% of all sales will benefit Manna and a collection will take place for healthy non-perishables. We’re so grateful to the businesses in our community that help us support their neighbors, thank you &pizza!

Join us to break bread next month and participate in discusison: Honoring Tradition and Culture in Food Systems / Lunch: Celebration of Diversity - How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

November 16th, 12-1pm

Click here to reserve your spot today!

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