Last Updated on June 15, 2023
2020 has been a tough year for everyone. But for some, it could have been devastating if not for the assistance of local nonprofits working diligently to help those in need.
Today, we shine a spotlight on a local organization that works hard year round to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. We invite you to learn more about MANNA FoodBank and how you can help them meet their mission.
What is MANNA?
The Mountain Area Nutritional Needs Alliance (MANNA) is a collection of more than 200 partner agencies across 16 WNC counties dedicated to coordinating food programs and public policy efforts that will end hunger. Since 1983, MANNA has itself worked as a member of Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization.
What services does MANNA provide?
Food distribution
MANNA collects, stores, and distributes food to MANNA-accredited local nonprofits for families and individuals in need. These agencies include pantries, soup kitchens, emergency food suppliers, and other nonprofits. According to their website, “as the need in our region has continued to grow, so has the amount of food that goes through our warehouse and to the tables of the people who need it most.” In 2019/2020, MANNA distributed more than 21.5 million pounds of food.
Packs for kids
The organization also manages their Packs for Kids program, which provides emergency food assistance to public school students throughout the 16 counties in their service area. In the 2019/2020 fiscal year, MANNA provided 116,555 weekend packs to 5,996 children across WNC—and that was largely before schools shut down due to the pandemic.
FNS outreach
MANNA also coordinates a Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) assistance program that allows people with little or no income to buy nutritious food. Last year, MANNA’s outreach efforts assisted 2,241 households with their FNS applications.
Your holiday card is in the mail!
No time of year is more important than the holiday season. That’s why MANNA provides resources for the food insecure in our communities to enjoy a comfortable holiday at home.
Each year, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks tries to do our small part to assist in these efforts to alleviate food insecurity in the region. That’s why we create a special holiday card to benefit MANNA.
For 2020, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks agents purchased thousands of special holiday cards printed on shimmering, mica-coated cardstock. It’s a beautiful gift for the clients receiving the cards (that’s you!). Plus, $1 from the purchase of each card is donated to MANNA. That translates to four meals for community members in need somewhere across WNC.
Keep an eye out for your card in the mail!
Join the spirit of giving
At Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity and means to Live Abundantly in WNC. Our agents and staff have impressed us by their support of this holiday card initiative. We encourage you to get involved, too.
Support local families through the holidays and into the new year! Give of your time and money to an organization like this one that means something to you. Reach out to MANNA FoodBank or contact your Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks agent to learn about additional local nonprofits in your community.
MANNA FoodBank
627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville | (828) 299-3663 | mannafoodbank.org
