March 2023 Open House
In March 2023, we’re opening a new application cycle for formal partnership with MANNA FoodBank. The first step in this process is to attend the in-person MANNA FoodBank Open House this March. The Open House is open to anyone in the community who wants to learn more about MANNA, hunger in our community, and how to get involved. Before attending the Open House, we encourage you to review our Neighbor-Centric Values (pdf). After attending the Open House, your organization will have one week to complete the Partner Agency Fit Quiz to be invited to apply.
The Open House event will be held March 3 from 2-4 p.m. at MANNA FoodBank, 627 Swannanoa River Rd., Asheville, NC 28805.
Sign up for the next Open House.
Basic requirements for formal partnership require a 501(c)(3) or tax-exempt Church Status, an active food program, and serving the “ill, needy, or children” per IRS code 107e3.
When reviewing applications, the Agency Relations team will be looking to partner with organizations or churches with the following criteria:
- Food pantry and meal programs that are open to the public, with preference given to programs open at least two times per month and allow clients to choose their own food (client choice)
- Minimum of 6 months experience in program management and oversight.
- Programs targeting underserved areas or populations in MANNA’s 16 county service area, or programs that run innovative feeding programs geared toward connecting at-risk populations with nutritious food.
- Programs committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
If you have questions about the March 3 Open House, contact the Agency Relation Manager for your zone.
- Amy Grimes, Agency Relations Manager – West & Compliance (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties)
- Kristen Ollila, Agency Relations Manager – East (Avery, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Transylvania, and Yancey counties)
- Lucy Phillips, Agency Relations Manager – Buncombe County
View our Partner Application Process (pdf).
MANNA Community Markets
MANNA Community Markets deliver free food to communities across Western North Carolina. In partnership with community organizations, the MANNA Community Market provides direct food assistance support for people across the region, particularly focusing on communities with a high level of food insecurity.
MANNA Food Helpline
Would you like more information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Need help finding food assistance near you? USDA Food and Nutrition Service may be able to make nutritious food more affordable for your family. Call the MANNA Food Helpline at 1-800-820-1109 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for more information.
MANNA Partner Agencies
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are using a partner agency list that is updated daily. View the list of current distributions.
MANNA FoodBank—and our partners throughout 16 counties in Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary—are a part of the Feeding America network, the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the U.S. The common mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. We aim for collaboration to provide excellent service with respect, integrity, and urgency while being mindful and inclusive of our diverse population. We take our stewardship of donated food and money seriously, and we strive for transparency and accountability.
Feeding America provides a framework of best practices and a network of collaboration that enables food banks (that’s MANNA) to gather, store, and distribute food to partner agencies. Those invaluable partners are the outlets that actually interact with the general public. Our partners are mostly donation funded and volunteer run; they provide much of the labor that gets food to the tables of families that need it most.
Partnership Benefits include:
- Access to food donated to Feeding America affiliates
- Mobile delivery of food to 15 of the 16 counties in our service area (excluding Buncombe County)
- Online ordering
- Access to our Cooperative Buying Program (CBP)
MANNA Partner Agency requirements include:
- 501(c)(3) status
- Completion of the Partner Agency Agreement
- Completion of orientation (March 3, 2-4 p.m. at MANNA headquarters)
- Proof of an approved pest control plan
- Recent financial/treasurer’s report showing agency budget
- Current List of your Board of Directors/officers/other governing body
- Food Safety Training
- Food safety plan including temperature logs
Learn more about becoming a 501(c)(3).
If you’re interested in becoming a partner agency, watch the video below for ank overview of the process.
MANNA aims to serve those in need of food. Some areas of Western North Carolina have more pantries and meal providers than others. Since we do not have an unlimited amount of food, we encourage and prioritize new agencies that will serve currently underserved populations. For some food-insecure families, finding a box of food is a real challenge when transportation and money for fuel are not readily available. We encourage those inspired to work in hunger relief to check out the pantries and feeding programs that may already be active in your area before taking steps to become an independent partner agency.
When signing on as a partner agency, you will be required to complete MANNA’s Partner Agency Agreement as well. Complete the 2023 MANNA Partner Agreement (pdf).