Manna Food Bank Inc

INVOLVING, EDUCATING, AND UNITING PEOPLE IN THE WORK OF ENDING HUNGER IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

MANNA FOODBANK SERVES AS THE CENTRAL FOOD SOURCING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR MORE THAN 200 NONPROFIT PARTNER AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT MANNA'S 16-COUNTY WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA SERVICE AREA, INCLUDING THE QUALLA BOUNDARY. OUR SERVICE AREA ENCOMPASSES 6,434 SQUARE MILES WITH MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AND UNDER-SERVED LOCATIONS WITH HIGH FOOD INSECURITY RATES. THEREFORE, TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN NEED RECEIVE FOOD, WE DELIVER TO EVEN THE MOST REMOTE LOCATIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE COUNTIES MANNA SERVES ARE: AVERY, BUNCOMBE, CHEROKEE, CLAY, GRAHAM, HAYWOOD, HENDERSON, JACKSON, MACON, MADISON, MCDOWELL, MITCHELL, POLK, SWAIN, TRANSYLVANIA, AND YANCEY COUNTY. THESE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES ALSO HAVE DIVERSE NEEDS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES, BUT THE COMMON ISSUES OF HIGH HOUSING COSTS, LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND STAGNANT WAGE GROWTH ARE PERVASIVE. WITH A DRAMATICALLY GROWING GAP BETWEEN INCOME AND THE COST OF LIVING, RESIDENTS ACROSS THE REGION CONTINUE TO FACE AN ONGOING PEAK NEED FOR FOOD: MANNA SERVED OVER 109,000 PEOPLE ON AVERAGE EACH MONTH LIVING THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN WNC, ACCORDING TO THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NETWORK, AT LEAST 1 IN 5 PEOPLE ARE FOOD INSECURE. FOOD DISTRIBUTION: MANNA FOODBANK CONTINUED TO SERVE A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC IN FY 21/22. HOWEVER, DUE TO FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND A DECREASE IN FEDERAL AND STATE FOOD COMMODITIES PROGRAMS, MANNA DISTRIBUTED LESS FOOD THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. DESPITE MASSIVE CHALLENGES IN SOURCING FOOD AND WORKING AGAINST RISING COSTS, MANNA DISTRIBUTED 18.6 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD - THE EQUIVALENT OF 42,669 MEALS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. IN THIS THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC, MANNA EXPERIENCED A CONFLUENCE OF CHALLENGES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED FOOD TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. AS THE NEED FOR FOOD CONTINUED TO FAR OUTPACE THE NEED PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC--68% OVER THE PRE-PANDEMIC MONTHLY AVERAGE--AND TRADITIONAL DONATION SOURCES CONTINUED TO DECLINE, MANNA HAD TO PURCHASE MORE FOOD THAN EVER TO MEET THIS CHRONIC AND ONGOING NEED - 44% OVER THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. THE ONGOING SOCIOECONOMIC "PERFECT STORM" OF CHALLENGES THAT WNC RESIDENTS CONTINUED TO FACE IN THIS PERIOD CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE CHRONIC AND ELEVATED NEED: HOUSING COSTS CONTINUED TO CLIMB, AND WITH A STAGGERING INCREASE IN FUEL COSTS--51% SINCE 2021-AND FOOD EXPENSES-13.5% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR--MANY PEOPLE SAW THEIR MONTHLY BUDGETS STRETCHED FAR PAST THEIR AVAILABLE MEANS, JUST TO AFFORD BASIC LIVING EXPENSES. ALONG WITH A MEDIAN SALARY THAT CONTINUES TO TRAIL BEHIND STATE (-19%) AND FEDERAL (-36%) MEDIANS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TURNED TO MANNA AND OUR DEDICATED PARTNER AGENCY NETWORK FOR EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPORT JUST TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE MONTH. THESE RISING COSTS ALSO IMPACTED THE FOOD BANK. MANNA SPENT 33% MORE IN FUEL COSTS ALONE, AND THE COSTS OF PURCHASED FOOD, EVEN WITH OUR CONNECTIONS AND WHOLESALE RELATIONSHIPS, WENT UP SUBSTANTIALLY, RESULTING IN 3.6 MILLION SPENT ON FOOD RESOURCES ALONE. YET, IN SPITE OF THESE UNIVERSAL CHALLENGES, THE WNC COMMUNITY YET AGAIN PULLED TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT MANNA AND OUR PARTNERS COULD BE THERE TO SUPPORT EVERY INDIVIDUAL COMING TO US NEEDING FOOD. THIS COMMUNITY SUPPORT RESULTED IN MANNA HELPING TO PROVIDE 42,669 MEALS EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE 21/22 FISCAL YEAR. PANDEMIC AND FOOD SOURCING: THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN CONTINUED TO CREATE WAVES ACROSS THE REGION, AND THE COUNTRY. EVEN FEDERAL AND STATE FOOD COMMODITIES PROGRAMS, LIKE THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP), STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE FOOD AT THE RATE THEY HAD - MANNA SAW A 5.9-MILLION-POUND DECREASE IN THESE COMMODITIES PROGRAMS FROM THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR TOTALS, CREATING FURTHER STRAIN WHEN MANY FAMILIES CONTINUED TO NEED THIS VITAL, LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT. HOWEVER, THE RESILIENCE OF THE ORGANIZATION, THANKS TO DEDICATED PARTNERS, SUPPORTERS, FOOD DONORS, AND VOLUNTEERS ENABLED MANNA TO STILL PROVIDE 15.5 MILLION MEALS OF HEALTH-SUPPORTING FOOD. NUTRITION AND HEALTH: MANNA RECOGNIZES THAT NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO SOURCE NUTRITIONALLY DENSE FOOD THAT CAN BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTNER AGENCIES. IN FY 21/22, 70% OF THE FOOD THAT MANNA DISTRIBUTED WAS CLASSIFIED AS "HEALTHY STAPLES" WHICH CONSIST OF ITEMS LIKE WHOLE GRAINS, PROTEINS, DAIRY, FRESH/FROZEN VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. OVER 27% OF ALL FOOD DISTRIBUTED WAS FRESH PRODUCE. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND HEALTH RISKS, MANNA HAS BUILT ON THE SUCCESS OF NUTRITION-FOCUSED PROGRAMS TARGETING INCREASED ACCESS TO FRESH AND HEALTHY FOODS ACROSS OUR SERVICE AREA. MANNA'S THREE-PRONG APPROACH TO OUR HEALTH INITIATIVES INCLUDES: 1. INCREASING THE NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF THE FOOD MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR NEIGHBORS 2. EMPOWERING OUR NEIGHBORS TO ACCESS AND CONSUME MORE NUTRITIONALLY DENSE FOOD, AND 3. BUILDING IMPACTFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE HEALTH SYSTEM, INCLUDING CLINICS AND OTHER HEALTH-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS WHO INTERFACE WITH OUR CLIENTS. LAST FISCAL YEAR, MANNA WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST FOOD BANK IN THE SOUTHEAST FOR PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHIER AMERICA, AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT TO FOOD ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ACTING ON HEALTH-FOCUSED INITIATIVES TO PROVIDE MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE WE ARE SERVING ACROSS THE REGION. ADDITIONALLY, MANNA PRODUCED OVER TWENTY HEALTHY COOKING VIDEOS--WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH--TO PROVIDE EASY RECIPES UTILIZING MUCH OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTED TO PROVIDE OUR NEIGHBORS ADDITIONAL WAYS TO USE THE NUTRITIOUS FOODS THE ORGANIZATION WORKS HARD TO SOURCE AND DISTRIBUTE. AT LEAST 25% OF THESE VIDEOS ARE "KID FRIENDLY" TO HELP PAVE A PATH WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND ESTABLISH A FOUNDATION OF HEALTHY EATING THAT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN TO BE EXTREMELY POWERFUL IN INDIVIDUALS' EATING HABITS THAT LAST FOR A LIFETIME. HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES PILOT: THE HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES PILOT (HOP) IS THE FIRST PROGRAM IN THE NATION TO USE MEDICAID FUNDING TO INTEGRATE NON- MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH THAT CAN ACCOUNT FOR UP TO 80% OF HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE PILOT--LAUNCHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION--AIMS TO BUY BETTER HEALTH AND REDUCE HEALTHCARE COSTS BY ADDRESSING SOCIAL NEEDS ACROSS FOUR KEY DOMAINS BEFORE THEY CONTRIBUTE TO CHRONIC AND COSTLY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. ONE OF THOSE DOMAINS IS FOOD INSECURITY. MANNA SERVES THE HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES PILOT AS A HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER (HSO) AND BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2022 DISTRIBUTED 7,652 POUNDS OF HEALTHY FOOD BOXES TO OTHER HSOS AND MEDICAID ENROLLEES IN THE PILOT. MANNA ALSO SUPPORTS IMPACT HEALTH-HOPS NETWORK LEAD FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA-AND THE NETWORK AS THE FOOD DOMAN, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT, AS WELL AS A HEALTHY FOOD VENDOR. THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION NETWORK: MANNA FOODBANK PARTNERS WITH OVER 250 NONPROFIT AGENCIES TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD, INCLUDING FOOD PANTRIES, SHELTERS, COMMUNITY KITCHENS, CHURCH MINISTRIES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR WNC RESIDENTS STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER - ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, FAMILIES, SENIORS, VETERANS, DISABLED PERSONS, AND GROWING NUMBERS OF THE WORKING POOR. IN FY 19/20, MANNA EXPANDED OUR EFFORTS TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE MANNA COMMUNITY MARKET, A MOBILE PANTRY AVAILABLE TO DEPLOY ACROSS THE RURAL REGION, AND BY THE END OF FY 20/21, MANNA HAD INCREASED FOOD DISTRIBUTION THROUGH THIS METHOD BY 78% OVER THE PREVIOUS FOSCAL YEAR, TO OVER 1.5 MILLION POUNDS OF GROCERIES DELIVERED TO COMMUNITIES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS WITH A HIGH NEED FOR FOOD. IN FY 21/22, MANNA'S MOBILE MARKETS CONTINUE TO REACH RURAL AREAS, AS WELL AS EXPANDING TO REACH MARGINALIZED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE 16-COUNTY SERVICE AREA, INCLUDING LATINO, BLACK, UKRANIAN, CHEROKEE, AND RURAL MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES - ALL WHO FACE HIGHER RATES OF FOOD INSECURITY. MANNA AGENCY MANAGERS PROVIDE RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE TO ALL OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES ENSURING THAT THEY ADHERE TO NATIONAL SAFE SERV STANDARDS AS WELL AS FEEDING AMERICA'S SPECIFIC FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS FOR FOOD BANKS. STEWARDSHIP: MANNA FOODBANK IS PROUD TO HAVE EARNED A 4-STAR RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR FOR 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS - THE HIGHEST RATING POSSIBLE FROM THE INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT RATING ORGANIZATION. NATIONALLY, MANNA FOODBANK RANKS IN THE TOP 2% OF NONPROFITS FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS. THIS TOP RATING IS A RESULT OF AN UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO STEWARDSHIP, AND TO A ROBUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. IN FY 21/22, 2,923 VOLUNTEERS SERVED 52,642 HOURS IN A VARIETY OF VOLUNTEER ROLES. THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 27 FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS AND HELPS MANNA CONTINUE TO PRIO

MANNA PACKS FOR KIDS IS A DIRECT-FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DELIVERING WEEKLY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD TO 139 SCHOOLS AND SITES ACROSS OUR 16-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. EACH WEEK, VOLUNTEERS PACK AND DISTRIBUTE THOUSANDS OF BAGS OF FOOD TO SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE AND RELY ON FREE MEAL PLANS TO HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. EACH BAG CONTAINS SNACKS AND MEALS TO LAST OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN FOOD-INSECURE CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. IN FY 21/22, A TOTAL OF 122,285 MANNA PACKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN ON THE FREE SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM. THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NUTRITION DIRECTORS, TEACHERS, GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, AND SCHOOL NUTRITION STAFF, MANNA WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE PROVIDING FOOD RESOURCES TO CHILDREN EVEN DURING SCHOOL CLOSINGS, UNFORESEEN CLOSURES, IN-PERSON CLASS CHANGES, AND MANY OTHER LAST-MINUTE SCHEDULE CHANGES THAT HAVE BECOME ROUTINE WITH SCHOOLS OPERATING AMIDST THE PANDEMIC. IN THE SUMMER MONTHS OF 2021, MANNA DISTRIBUTED 16,300 BAGS OF FOOD TO 23 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND SITES WITH A WEEK'S WORTH OF NOURISHMENT FOR CHILDREN THROUGH THE SUMMER PACK PROGRAM, PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED FOOD ASSISTANCE WHILE CHILDREN ARE OUT OF SCHOOL AND AWAY FROM THE VITAL SUPPORT OF REGULAR MEALS THROUGH THE NATIONAL SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM.

MANNA'S OUTREACH PROGRAM IS A DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HOUSEHOLDS STRUGGLING TO AFFORD GROCERIES WITH ACCESS TO FOOD RESOURCES. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM CONNECTS HOUSEHOLDS TO A PARTNER AGENCY OR MANNA MOBILE MARKET FOR IMMEDIATE FOOD SUPPORT, AS WELL AS ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNING UP FOR SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM), THE COUNTRY'S MOST EFFECTIVE ANTI-HUNGER PROGRAM (FORMERLY CALLED "FOOD STAMPS"). SNAP SUPPORT CAN HELP A FAMILY SURVIVE A CRISIS OF UNEMPLOYMENT, POOR HEALTH, OR OTHER HARDSHIPS THAT CAN TRIGGER A DOWNWARD SPIRAL INTO POVERTY. IN FY 21/22 MANNA'S OUTREACH TEAM OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FIELDED 24,354 CONTACTS WITH HOUSEHOLDS NEEDING ACCESS TO FOOD (AN ASTOUNDING INCREASE OF 93% OVER THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR), REFERRED 22,217 HOUSEHOLDS TO AVAILABLE FOOD SERVICES (102% INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR), AND PROVIDED DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO 2,207 HOUSEHOLDS WITH HELP APPLYING FOR OR RECERTIFYING FOR SNAP (A 40% INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR). THIS INCLUDES ASSISTING PEOPLE AT PARTNER AGENCIES, AND THROUGH MANNA'S FOOD HELPLINE, WHICH IS RUN BY MANNA STAFF AND 26 HIGHLY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE OVER-THE-PHONE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN NEED ACROSS THE REGION. THE PRIVACY AND CONVENIENCE OF THE HELPLINE SERVICE OVERCOMES NUMEROUS BARRIERS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN NEED, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, WORK SCHEDULE CONSTRAINTS, PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, ETC. THAT MAY PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING THE HELP THAT THEY NEED IN PERSON. MANNA PARTNERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE SERVICE REGION TO PROVIDE THIS STREAMLINED SUPPORT. OUR EQUITY COMMITMENT: WE ARE THE MOUNTAIN AREA NUTRITIONAL NEEDS ALLIANCE (MANNA), A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 250 PARTNER AGENCIES, VOLUNTEERS, STAFF, BOARD, AND OTHERS WORKING TOGETHER IN A SHARED MISSION OF INVOLVING, EDUCATING, AND UNITING PEOPLE IN THE WORK OF ENDING HUNGER IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. AT MANNA FOODBANK, WE HOLD PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AT THE CENTER OF OUR ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. WE ENVISION A HUNGER-FREE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE EACH PERSON CAN PARTICIPATE, PROSPER AND HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD THAT IS BOTH NOURISHING AND IN KEEPING WITH THEIR CULTURE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT SYSTEMIC INJUSTICES AND OPPRESSION EXIST-SUCH AS RACISM, CLASSISM, AND SEXISM-AND THAT THESE CREATE AND PERPETUATE CONDITIONS THAT SUSTAIN POVERTY, HUNGER, AND HEALTH DISPARITIES. UNDERSTANDING THIS, WE COMMIT TO SERVE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL ENVIRONMENTS, IN WAYS THAT VALUE WHO THEY ARE, THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES AND THEIR UNIQUE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING FOOD. WE RESOLVE TO EDUCATE OURSELVES BY LISTENING TO AND INCLUDING THESE COMMUNITIES IN OUR WORK, AND TO RESPOND WHERE BIAS AND INEQUITIES APPEAR. WE WILL CONFRONT OPPRESSION AND POVERTY BY DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER THAT ARE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, EQUITABLE, ACCESSIBLE, HONOR A DIVERSITY OF NEEDS, AND VALUE EVERYONE. OUR FOOD PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS AIM TO BUILD A SOCIETY WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE-CELEBRATING OUR DIFFERENCES AND WORKING TOGETHER TO OVERCOME INJUSTICES THAT MIGHT DIVIDE US BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD BE HUNGRY.

MANNA FOODBANK IS A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE PEOPLE WE ALL SERVE TOGETHER. AT MANNA, WE ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN WAYS THAT VALUE WHO THEY ARE, THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES, AND THEIR UNIQUE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING FOOD. WE ARE DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER THAT ARE COMMUNITY- DRIVEN, EQUITABLE, ACCESSIBLE, HONOR A DIVERSITY OF NEEDS, AND VALUE EVERYONE. OUR FOOD PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS AIM TO BUILD A SOCIETY WHERE EVERYONE CAN LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND THRIVE-BECAUSE HAVING ENOUGH FOOD IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT. MANNA'S WORK TO ADDRESS HUNGER IN WNC INCLUDES ENCOURAGING THE COMMUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR SOLUTIONS THAT LESSEN, AND ULTIMATE END, HUNGER FOR RESIDENTS ACROSS THE REGION. MANNA STAFF WORK TO INFORM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATORS OF THE IMPACT THAT FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS HAVE ON RESIDENTS' ABILITY TO AFFORD GROCERIES. MANNA MAINTAINS AN EMAIL LIST FOR DIRECT ADVOCACY CALLS-TO-ACTION, WHICH GREW BY 12% FROM THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR. THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACTS CONTINUE TO EXPOSE THE FRAGILE BALANCE THAT THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS MANAGE EACH MONTH BETWEEN THE INCOME AND THE GROWING COST OF LIVING HERE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, AND THOSE IMPACTS CONTINUE TO AFFECT FAMILIES LIVING ON THE EDGE FAR MORE. IN FY 21/22, MANNA AND THE ADVOCACY NETWORK ADVOCATED WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AS THE PANDEMIC-ERA PROGRAM EXPANSION PROVIDING MEALS TO ALL STUDENTS-AND THUS REMOVING THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH RECEIVING FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS-WAS SET TO LAPSE. MANNA ALSO ADVOCATED AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR EXPANDED INTERNET ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S 16- COUNTY SERVICE AREA - A VITAL RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT TO AVAILABLE ECONOMIC SUPPORT AND DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INCREASINGLY DIGITAL WORLD WE ALL LIVE IN. THIS ADVOCACY ACTION RESULTED IN THE STATE RECOGNIZING THE NEED IN WNC, AND SEVERAL COUNTIES IN WNC ARE NOW TARGETED FOR HIGH-SPEED INTERNET UTILITY EXPANSION AS A RESULT. MANNA'S ONGOING FOCUS ON ADVOCATING FOR THE NEEDS OF WNC RESIDENTS CONTINUES TO GROW AND DEEPEN, HELPING TO INFLUENCE STATE AND NATIONAL POLICY, ALIGN STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES, AND OPERATIONALIZE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES WHERE A HIGH MAJORITY OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE FACING INCOME AND RESOURCE BARRIERS. WE ARE WORKING TO END HUNGER FOR ALL WESTERN NORTH CAROLINIANS THROUGH A COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING FOOD TODAY, FOOD TOMORROW, AND FOOD FOR A LIFETIME.