***For current program hours, click here.***
In FYE 2023 and again in FYE 2024, Manna has set records for amounts of food distributed and number of people served, as more and more households rely on Manna for food and other services and support. The impact of soaring housing costs, skyrocketing food prices, and the rollback of pandemic-era benefits has led to dramatically increased demand for food from community-based organizations like Manna. In fact, according to the USDA, more people are at risk of hunger right now than at any time in the last decade.
Manna’s Kitchen has grown from serving 5,000 free meals every month in spring 2022 to over 13,000 meals every month currently. We continue to set records for meals served each month, driven primarily by our to-go meal program, which has grown by 50% just in the past year. We broke our record of monthly meals provided numerous times in the past year.
Manna’s Market, which provides free groceries, is also growing dramatically. The number of people served by the Market is up nearly 10% in the past year, and dozens of new households each month are enrolling to shop in the Market. In fact, 5-8% of all Market visits each month are from households that are shopping at Manna for the first time. Over the past two years combined, Manna’s Market has served 2,470 unique households comprised of 7,334 individuals.
Meanwhile, Manna’s Common Grounds Training Program continues to change dozens of lives every year by addressing two of the root causes of food insecurity: unemployment and underemployment. And our Emergency Financial Assistance program helps people stay stably housed and prevent certain emergencies by providing critical assistance toward bills in areas such as rent and utilities.
In recognition of our work, Philabundance awarded Manna with its distinguished 2023 Hunger Hero Award “for being an all-around outstanding partner and creating a holistic approach to fighting food insecurity by providing more than food to the community.”
Montgomery County is the second wealthiest county in Pennsylvania. However, as of 2022 an estimated 8.6% of Montgomery County’s population—about 73,850 people, including thousands of children and seniors—lived with food insecurity, defined as lacking consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life. Meanwhile, in the North Penn region alone—Manna’s primary service area—over 4,800 people live in poverty, one of the main causes of food insecurity, as of 2021. Many of these individuals and families rely on Manna on Main Street for services and support.
Food insecurity is rising nationally. In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households (18 million households) were food insecure, a deeply troubling increase from the 12.8% recorded in 2022, 10.2% in 2021, and 10.5% in 2020. According to the USDA, 1 in every 7 people is at risk of hunger — that’s 44 million people, including 1 in every 5 children – meaning that more people are facing hunger right now than at any point in the last decade.
Manna clients are dealing with increased food costs, forcing them to choose between paying for food, housing, healthcare and other basic needs. Grocery prices skyrocketed by 11.4% in 2022 and 5.0% in 2023. Grocery prices are expected to increase by 3.3% in 2025, and food spending as a share of households’ disposable income is at the highest level in 30 years.
Manna’s Kitchen
Manna’s Kitchen prepares meals seven days per week for anyone in need, no questions asked. Manna is currently offering to-go meals and sit-down meals, both of which have non-pork and vegetarian options. For hours at Manna’s Kitchen, click here.
In our last fiscal year (FYE 2024), we served 151,627 meals. More specifically, we are currently preparing and serving over 13,000 meals per month, which is nearly TRIPLE the number of meals we were preparing and serving every month as of mid-2022. For the working poor, the elderly, the homeless, or those simply in need of a good meal, Manna’s Kitchen offers healthy options in a welcoming and safe environment.
Manna’s Market
While Manna’s Market historically serves those living in the North Penn School District, we are currently serving any Montgomery County household in need. Households can receive groceries twice per calendar month. Groceries are available via in-person shopping or online ordering. Households do not need to pre-register for in-person shopping, but will need to complete a Market intake form.
Groceries include non-perishable items, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and other special items related to family circumstances such as diapers and pet food.
For instructions on how to use Online Market ordering, click here.
Our Market operates using the best practice of a choice model, allowing shoppers to choose their own groceries. Like a small grocery store, individuals may shop for the foods that best meet their dietary needs and preferences, but within agency controls based on household size, food categories and quantities. Manna’s Market uses SmartChoice, a program based on the MyPlate healthy eating model.
For neighbors in need, our choice pantry increases the dignity of service provided and creates a welcome and caring space in our community. Our Market is largely stocked through community donations. Individuals, families, businesses, and civic and faith-based organizations contribute canned and fresh foods to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
This past fiscal year (FYE 2024), we distributed 691,254 pounds of food to 1,794 households comprised of 5,215 individuals, including 1,551 children and 1,391 seniors, via 14,873 market visits. Due to increased demand for food, we are serving 10% more people than last year, and dozens of new households each month are enrolling to shop in the Market.
For a list of items that we currently need in our food pantry, please see what’s needed. Thank you!
Dairy Day Program
If you’re a senior in need of dairy products, please let us know. Low-income seniors who shop in our pantry are eligible to receive a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, cheese and butter each month.
Emergency Financial Aid Program
Manna’s non-COVID financial assistance program is funded primarily on donations. This program is designed to offer one-time emergency financial assistance for individuals and families living in the North Penn School District. Assistance is always sent directly to the landlord, utility company or other appropriate provider. This past fiscal year (FYE 2024), Manna stewarded $86,000 directly to service providers to meet critical needs of 404 households living in the North Penn region. Click here to apply for emergency financial assistance from Manna.
Common Grounds Training Program
Common Grounds Training Program is a free, 8-week foodservice, work and life skills program for individuals seeking to advance their career in the foodservice industry. Individuals graduate with their ServSafe certification, Common Grounds certificate and references to begin their food service career. Last fiscal year (FYE 2024), Manna enrolled 23 trainees, with 18 graduating, and 16 of the graduates employed at the time of graduation. Click here to learn more and to apply to Common Grounds!
Holiday Help
Toward the end of every year, Manna invites the community to participate in our Hope for the Holidays Program. With your help in 2023, we raised enough money to provide $75 Visa gift cards to all 626 eligible children enrolled in Manna’s Market, our food pantry, giving parents the opportunity to purchase gifts that are best for their children during the holiday season. All 294 eligible families also received a $25 Giant gift card to help cover rising food costs during the holiday season. Thank you for your donations!
Back To School
Each year, Manna distributes backpacks and school supplies to help the children we serve get ready for school! Through the generosity of partners such as Dorman Products and Merck, we distribute these supplies to our young scholars in August each year.
Manna on Main Street is an equal opportunity provider.
