Better Together: How Partnerships Are Feeding Our Families

We want to share one example of the hundreds of partnerships that MANNA has across our 16-county region. What began as a small community market hosted by Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) during the pandemic quickly grew into a vital source of nourishment and hope.

With A-B Tech stepping in to provide space, the market now stands as a testament to our communities coming together to uplift our neighbors in need. Volunteers, students, and staff alike share a common purpose—to ensure that no one goes hungry. 

“We’ve had a lot of folks come through who picked up food for an elderly neighbor who was homebound, or a family member who just needed some extra support,” said Michele Hathcock with A-B Tech Student Services. “So, we’ve worked really hard with our partnership with WNCCHS to put this out on our campus and in the community, so that people know that this market is open for anybody who could use some assistance.”  

Today, the community market serves 150-180 households a month on average, which roughly equates to around 500-650 individuals. The collaboration between WNCCHS, A-B Tech, and MANNA is more than just a way to provide food, it’s a model of how communities can meet the growing need for food assistance.  

With thousands of families relying on these markets every month across WNC, our partner network of 250+ agencies offer more than just nourishment—they bring hope and a vision for a future where everyone has access to the food they need.