Dear Manna,

With spring just around the corner, I hope everyone is doing well! My name is Craig Rice, and I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the new CEO of Manna Food Center. As I start this journey with you, I'm filled with a sense of purpose and excitement about what we can achieve together. 


For 43 years, Manna has been a beacon of hope in our community, and I'm committed to building on the incredible work that's been done. Our vision is straightforward yet powerful: to eliminate hunger in our community. We believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, no matter what their situation is. This mission is rooted in the core principles that have guided us for decades. 


At Manna, we're all about compassion and respect. We believe in treating everyone with dignity and understanding to create a safe and supportive environment for families. 


Collaboration and Partnership are key to tackling hunger. We've built strong relationships with local organizations and volunteers, and I'm excited to explore new partnerships to grow our network. 


We're committed to innovation and adaptability, always looking for better ways to serve through food distribution, nutrition education, and community engagement. 


Empowerment and Education support families through nutrition classes and access to resources. We'll focus on expanding these programs for long-term change. 


Accountability and Transparency are essential. I'll regularly share updates on our programs and financial stewardship so you can see the impact of your support. 


As we move forward, I invite you to join me in embracing these principles as we fight against hunger. Your support is invaluable in Manna’s work. From connecting with our local food systems and farmers, to providing choice in our Market and through our voucher system, Manna is always striving to exemplify these principles. Read on down below to see our Farm to Foodbank team in action, Heroes Against Hunger announcements, and an exciting new donation opportunity to help support Manna! 


With gratitude,

Craig Rice

CEO, Manna Food Center


PS: While February is over, every month should be Heart Month ❤️ Find some great tips on promoting heart health from our Community Food Education team below! 

Dr. King Events around the County

Elshan Bal, Greenway Farms; Jenna Umbriac, our Director of Community Impact; Ryan Kalivretenos, Common Root Farm; Rachel Armistead, Red Wiggler Care Farm; Craig Rice, our CEO. 

On February 21, we joined forces with the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture and the Montgomery County Food Council for the 8th Annual MoCo Food Producers' Forum at the Agricultural History Farm Park. This event was a fantastic chance to connect with both potential and current farm partners. We shared updates on our Farm to Food Bank program as we gear up for the next growing season. But what was really valuable was listening to a farmer-led roundtable, where we heard about the challenges facing our farming community and how we can support them through our Farm to Food Bank initiative. It's moments like these that remind us of the power of collaboration in building a stronger, more resilient local food system. 


Want to see what else our Farm to Food Bank team has been up to in the past year? Check out their impact report below.

Impact Report FY24

Meet your Heroes Against Hunger 2025

Individual Hero

Sue O'Hara



Community Hero

Bethesda Central Farm Market

Corporate Hero

Holy Cross Hospital



Meet our new Heroes! 🦸 Our 2025 Heroes Against Hunger Awards is coming up May 6th at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Gaithersburg MD!


Tickets will be available VERY soon but in the mean time sponsor a table!

We are still looking for sponsors for this year’s event! 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

Being Heart Healthy Made Easy

Looking for another way to support us & get rid of unwanted clutter? Donate Your Car to Manna! 

An exciting new donor opportunity is here for Manna! With CARS we can now take donations of vehicles where the value of your car goes to Manna. CARS is a turn-key fundraising solution that facilitates successful vehicle donation programs for thousands of nonprofits that we are now connected with.  

Has the time come for you to get rid of your car? Search Manna on the Choose a Non-profit page and fill out the online form to schedule your free pick up.

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