ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has awarded MANNA FoodBank $975,000 to help distribute food for families across western North Carolina, according to a news release from MANNA FoodBank.
“Families across WNC are facing impossible choices between food, housing, medicine, and childcare,” said Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank, in a news release. “This extraordinary investment from CFWNC and their donors means we can put millions of meals on tables when our neighbors need it most. These funds are more than food. They are hope, stability, and relief for families who have been through unimaginable hardship. We are deeply grateful for CFWNC’s leadership in helping us sustain this lifeline for our community.”
According to the release, this funding comes at a time when food insecurity is high across the region.
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Each month, nearly 170,000 visits to MANNA are made.
The release says that the grant will help MANNA sustain its purchasing power and continue delivering critical nutrition to children, senior adults, veterans, and working families who are struggling to recover, through the purchase of essential staples like fresh produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and shelf-stable items requested by families.
These essential staples will go to MANNA’s network of more than 300 community-based nonprofit agencies, schools, and direct-to-neighbor programs across 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary, the release says.
According to the release, Helene devastated western North Carolina in 2024, worsening already fragile conditions, destroying farmland, displacing families, and driving costs higher.
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“Hunger and food insecurity have long been issues in WNC, a situation that was exacerbated by Helene in many ways,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas in a news release. “Not only was MANNA’s facility and inventory destroyed, but farms lost crops and topsoil, supply chains were disrupted, roadways were damaged or destroyed, and a year later, communities are still recovering. We know that hungry children can’t learn, and we understand that food-insecure people struggle to find resources. Donors to our disaster fund made this grant and more than 500 others possible. We are grateful for their support and for MANNA’s work in the region.”
Since Helene, MANNA has distributed nearly 18 million pounds of food, which is the equivalent of 15 million meals.
According to the release, MANNA also launched its Essential Foods Program, which is a multi-year commitment to ensure nutrient-dense foods are consistently available to families.
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