Dear Manna,

Soon after I finish writing this letter to you, I’ll be headed to Gaithersburg Middle School to visit volunteers and staff who will be helping 227 families receive food so they’ll be ready for Thanksgiving in just one week. These visits are an important part of Manna Food Center’s culture as I try as CEO to live out our principle of being community-centered. Manna’s commitment to tasty, nutritious, relevant foods means I will be sure to find boxes and bags brimming with offerings to help neighbors set a bountiful Thanksgiving table. The very next day I’ll be visiting our choice market located in Manna’s Silver Spring office to share more holiday greetings. Whether a neighbor chooses to visit us for a pre-packed order in a school parking lot, or select their items from our shelves, Manna is here for the community thanks to your support. 

Recently I was speaking to a volunteer about Manna’s future. He wished me well on my retirement (see a few photos from the farewell party below) but also expressed concern about whether or not Manna as an organization was struggling. He noticed changes in workloads and to have me depart also was a surprise to some. “Quite the opposite!” I expressed. I’m able to step back from Manna at the end of next month because I have tremendous confidence in our strong Board and staff leadership (see news about that below). For a good while now, we have been purposefully recalibrating our efforts to make sure Manna is fulfilling our mission by sharing food, educating, and advocating to fight hunger, while not duplicating the efforts of our peers. We are also seizing opportunities for collaboration. Next month, for example we will be officially welcoming the staff and supporters of Kids in Need of Distributors, who are merging with Manna. KIND’s founder, Jeremy Lichenstein retire after inspiring contributions in the fight to end childhood hunger. While this all mean some changes, and even some growing pains, they reflect our dedication to the priorities of 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, and I am grateful to be a part of Manna’s long and continuing impact in Montgomery County.  

Still, I “get it” that many things feel uncertain right now. As a nation, and as a community, we just ended an election season. No matter if you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent I suspect you agree that there are many divisions and disagreements running wide and deep in our world. However, I am not a Pollyanna (or even a lame duck) when I say that those of us who support Manna Food Center have much within our power. Food is a common denominator across all kinds of differences. We all need food for nourishment and also to share time—like Thanksgiving meals—with those we hold dear. Food allows us to share our skills, our preferences, and our cultures. The ways we grow, produce, prepare, and consume food are all ways that create opportunities for cooperation and celebration.  

While Manna does not ignore injustices nor threats to the proven programs like SNAP that have lift people—especially children up—Manna is ready, thanks to your support, the caliber of our staff, and the integrity of our strategies to respond to what lies ahead. As you gather for food-focused celebrations, focus on what we as human beings have in common, give as you can to make sure everyone has the food they need, and enjoy the freedom to choose to be a force for good this holiday season.  

Jackie DeCarlo

CEO aka Chief Enthusiasm Officer

The fall has brought some exciting new faces to Manna’s leadership team! First, we have a new member of our Board of Directors, Jeremy Isenberg. Jeremy brings a wealth of experience and passion to the board.  He was a previous Board Director for Meals on Wheels of Norman, OK, where he started volunteering when in middle school. Currently Jeremy is Director, Global Public Policy at Merck & Co. and seeks to contribute to our advocacy work and increasing corporate philanthropy. Jeremy and his wife and young children live in Rockville. 

Among our staff, as part of our recent restructuring efforts (see Jackie’s message above) Manna now has an Operations Director who has joined our Leadership Team. Brenda Smallwood is leading our Logistics and Call Center Teams to help build our efficiencies and increase integration among our programs. Originally from Guatemala, with almost three decades of not-for-profit experience both domestically and internationally, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership as well as warmth and good humor, to our staff. 

Jeremy Isenberg

Brenda Smallwood

Exciting news! This Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, your donation could have double the impact thanks to an amazing $136,000 matching opportunity! We're thrilled that Roberts Oxygen Company has pledged a $100,000 match, with The Balto Family contributing an additional $36,000. Will you help us reach our goal of $272,000 and make this our most impactful Giving Tuesday ever?

Get ready to be part of something extraordinary – mark your calendars! 📅  

Jackie's Going Away Party

On Tuesday the 19th, we held an Open House at the warehouse in celebration and farewell of Jackie DeCarlo! With a tenure of 11 years, Jackie has been integral to Manna’s growth and continued success in our community. We had such a great turn out! Thank you to everyone who came out to wish Jackie well as she embarks on new life adventures. See photos of the event below.  

Manny, our mobile kitchen, had its retirement party this week! Its final class was at Fairland Elementary School, and the students were so excited to have this final Manny experience. Check out the photos down below ⬇️ 

While Manny is retired from doing its school cooking classes, keep an eye out to see it still on the road or out at the warehouse for special occasions!  

Last month we shared a bit about National Estate Planning Week on our social media. We invite you to consider these important questions while making your will:  

• Who do you want to care for your children or pets? 
• Have you made decisions around finances? 
• Do you want to support Manna through your legacy? 



Using our partner, FreeWill, you can answer these questions and create your plan for the future today. Don’t have a will yet? Here are 4 reasons you should create yours today! 

Between Scouting for Food and Harvest Against Hunger there were some great food drive successes this season! Thank you to the local scouting troops who collected and shared food earlier this month as we gear up for the holidays. Of course, special gratitude to all the people who donated food and left it out on their doorsteps for the scouts to collect! The holidays bring a greater need to Manna, and we love seeing the kids learn a commitment to helping your community through scouting.  

The faith-based Harvest for Hunger food and funds drive has been a critical campaign for us year after year. We are very grateful for the steadfast commitment to raising food and funds from the participating congregations. This year, the reigning champions, members of Temple Beth Ami, won the coveted Harvest Against Hunger trophy with 19.41 lbs donated per family. Overall, 40,523.77 lbs were donated across 19 congregations. We thank everyone for such a successful event!