I can’t believe my one-year anniversary is approaching as the Executive Director for the Manna Food Project. November 8 marks one year with this amazing organization. I have gained so much respect for the Northern Michigan community. Manna has such a wonderful support system. We couldn’t do what we do without our dedicated volunteers, businesses, staff, and community members.
As we come to the end of 2022, I reflect on how much I have learned in one year. When I started at Manna last November, I was blown away with the amount of support that we were blessed with. Donations were flowing in daily; food was abundant, volunteers were here at the drop of a hat. Here we are a year later, and the food supply has dwindled, donations are down, but our volunteers are stronger than ever. The USDA food donations have decreased 40% since last year. Therefore, we have had to purchase 50% more food this year compared to last year.
People are feeling the pinch. Paychecks are not going as far as they used to. Food insecurity rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. In rural communities, many people lack enough resources to obtain the food they need due to factors including economic instability, financial insecurity, transportation barriers, and limited access to affordable food.
Here at Manna, we have been expanding our services to some of the rural areas in our region to make sure people have easy access to food. The mobile food pantries have been a success the last few months serving 129 households (an average of 21 households per mobile). Our hope with starting the mobile food distribution, is to lessen the food insecurity in our rural areas. 12% to 13% of the population in Emmet, Charlevoix, and Antrim Counties are food insecure. That means over 10,500 people do not know where their next meal will come from. It can happen to anyone at any time. Cost of living is high and continuing to rise. Our neighbors are facing the choice between paying bills or buying food. Parents are skipping meals, so their children can eat.
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Manna Food Project to feed people in Northern Michigan. Get involved to help your neighbors in need by donating, fundraising, or volunteering. Engage your business or place of employment to do a food drive or participate in an employee donation match program. Anything helps, so please get involved today. Let’s fight hunger together.
- Carrie Klingelsmith, Executive Director