***For current program hours, click here.***
In FYE 2023, Manna set records for food distributed and households served, amid skyrocketing food prices and reductions to food stamps, increasing demand for food from community organizations like Manna.
In fact, for over 3 years, Manna has provided significantly more meals and groceries to our neighbors in need as compared to pre-pandemic operations. Manna has stewarded millions of dollars in emergency rental and utility assistance (utilizing federal funds), and our Common Grounds Training Program continues to change lives by addressing two of the root causes of food insecurity: unemployment and underemployment.
Montgomery County is the second wealthiest county in Pennsylvania. However, as of 2021 an estimated 6.0% of Montgomery County’s population—about 51,400 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. More recently, the federal poverty rate rose to 12.4 percent in 2022 from 7.8 percent in 2021, the largest one-year jump on record, the Census Bureau said in September 2023.
Manna clients are currently dealing with rising food costs, straining their household budgets. U.S. government data shows food prices skyrocketed by 11.4% in 2022, and food prices are predicted to increase over 5% in 2023, much faster than the 2% historical annual average over the past two decades.
To make matters worse, changes in federal law ended the additional SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly “food stamps”) that households had received since 2020. Starting in March 2023, all SNAP households lost a minimum of $95 a month in SNAP benefits, with a statewide average reduction of $181 per household. In June 2023, Pennsylvania recorded its highest-ever number of SNAP recipients at nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians.
As a result, more and more people are relying on Manna for food and other services and support. For example, Manna’s Kitchen has grown from serving 5,000 free meals every month in spring 2022 to over 10,000 meals every month right now. In FYE 2023, Manna set a new record for meals served in a year. Meanwhile, Manna’s Market, which provides free groceries, has also grown dramatically. The number of Market visits, households served and pounds of food distributed have each increased by over one-third since summer 2022. Roughly 70 new households each month have been enrolling to shop in the Market.
Since March 2020, Manna has adapted and grown its programs to safely meet the demand for services, and for the past 3 years has been providing significantly more meals and groceries to our neighbors in need as compared to pre-pandemic operations. 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.”
Manna’s Kitchen
Manna’s Kitchen prepares meals seven days per week for anyone in need, regardless of location or housing situation. 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 2023), we served 109,096 meals. More specifically, we are currently preparing and serving over 10,000 meals per month, which is DOUBLE 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 2023), we distributed 499,959 pounds of food to 1,648 households comprised of 4,847 individuals, including 1,483 children and 1,277 seniors, via 13,088 market visits. Due to increased demand for food, we are serving 40% more households than the year prior, when we served 1,200 households through Manna’s 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 2023), Manna stewarded $88,000 directly to service providers to meet critical needs of 353 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 2023), Manna enrolled 21 trainees, with 16 graduating, and 12 of the graduates employed at the time of graduation. Click here to learn more or contact Sue Jurina to submit an application: ProgramAssistant@mannaonmain.org or 215.855.5454, ext 17.
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.
