Manna’s Online Market Hub
Manna on Main Street is excited to announce that on Wednesday, August 16, we purchased a 3,300-square-foot property at 10 N. Cannon Ave. in Lansdale Borough.
This purchase marks a historic moment in the life of Manna and our community: Over the coming months we will work to transform 10 N. Cannon Ave. into Manna’s Online Market Hub (the Hub), with an anticipated opening in summer 2024.
The Hub is an innovative $1.27 million project that will dramatically expand Manna’s provision of online ordering and delivery of groceries, allowing us to reach more households facing hunger.
Establishing the Hub is a major component of Manna’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which is part of Manna’s 10-year Campaign: A North Penn Where No One Is Hungry launched in May 2022. Our 10-year campaign — which at its core is about building a diverse, equitable, inclusive organization that increases access, dignity and community — seeks to double the number of households served by 2031.
For more information about the Hub, click here.
A Manna Short Film
Watch this short film describing Manna’s 10-year campaign, featuring Manna’s impact on the lives of Karen and Ed Bade and Virgil Pearson:
History of Manna’s 10-year Campaign
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in Montgomery County and across the country. Feeding America data shows that the food insecurity rate in Montgomery County rose from 6.9% in 2019 to 7.0% in 2020. This means that approximately 58,000 people in Montgomery County lack consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life.
The pandemic and its impacts have presented challenges unlike any we had previously faced. Manna has met those challenges by building capacity, identifying resources, creating new ways to operate programs, and responding to the essential need to serve our diverse community with equity and dignity.
In fact, since March 2020, 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, and our Common Grounds Training Program continues to change lives.
Again and again, Manna on Main Street has proved itself capable of adapting and growing to more deeply serve those in need of food and other resources in the North Penn region.
The fulfillment of why Manna was created—”that everyone might be fed”—is within reach. Together, we can create “a North Penn where no one is hungry.”
Components of the 10-year Campaign
How do we become A North Penn Where No One Is Hungry? How do we continue to scale our operations and create change in our local and County-wide emergency food system and thereby strengthen the safety net for our neighbors in need? What are the critical components of this 10-year campaign?
First and foremost, Manna recognizes that the 10-year Campaign starts with building the foundation of Manna itself: A diverse, equitable, inclusive organization that increases access, dignity and community.
But Manna cannot become A North Penn Where No One Is Hungry as just the staff and board of Manna. It will require all of us. Yes, the fulfillment of why Manna was created—”that everyone might be fed”—is within reach. But it’s only truly within reach if we work together. No one should be forced to go without food. No one should be forced to go hungry, anywhere, let alone in the second wealthiest county in Pennsylvania.
Here are the five critical components of the 10-year Campaign:
- Food that is accessible, healthy, culturally appropriate, and supportive of dietary requirements of all people in need.
- Food delivery systems that are immediately responsive to households with emergency food needs.
- Workforce development training, financial assistance and wrap around services that improve food security.
- A strong, sustainable organization that cultivates collaboration among all stakeholders and partners.
- A diverse, equitable, inclusive organization that increases access, dignity and community.
Manna’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Manna’s 10-year Campaign will provide the framework for Manna’s next three strategic plans. Manna’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is available here.
Donate to the 10-year Campaign
Manna is asking the community to invest in this campaign by providing funds, time and talent.
CLICK HERE to donate to Manna’s 10-year Campaign: A North Penn Where No One Is Hungry.
Campaign Launch Sponsors
Inaugural Campaign Launch Sponsor:
Kareem Afzal and Nihad Kaiseruddin
Campaign Launch Sponsors:
CM3 Building Solutions, Inc.
Greene Tweed
Jeff and Neda Fields
Joanne Kline
La Mirage Salon
The Magdalene Center for Healing and Holistic Wellness
Remington & Vernick Engineers
Share Food Program
Stephen and Linda Zenuh
Syed Afzal, in memory of Birgitta Afzal
Univest Financial
Wegmans Food Markets
