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What is a food bank?
A food bank is a central distribution hub for the charitable food system in a given region. Rather than directly giving out food to people in need, food banks collect and redistribute food in bulk to a network of smaller, local food pantries, meal sites, and other free food resources. MANNA, for example, partners with 300+ local food partner agencies and school partners, providing food so the partners can focus on serving our neighbors. More than 95% of the food we serve goes through our partners.
MANNA is one of 200+ regional food banks in the Feeding America network that together serve every single county in the United States. For example, North Carolina is divided into seven service areas, each served by a different food bank. Each food bank functions a little differently, depending on the food system and needs of the area, but we all serve the same Feeding America mission: to unite communities in ending hunger.
How We Get Food
Food Sourcing
It starts with generosity.
Every day, we collect food from farms, grocery stores, food companies, government programs, and caring community members. Some of it is donated. Some we buy in bulk. Everything we source helps put meals on the table for people facing hunger.
How We Rescue Food
We stop good food from going to waste.
We work with farmers and grocery stores to save fresh food that can’t be sold—like slightly bruised fruit or surplus veggies. Instead of going to the landfill, that food goes to our neighbors. It’s a win for hunger relief and the environment.
How We Move Food
It doesn’t sit still for long.
Volunteers and staff sort, pack, and prepare food at our warehouse. From there, we deliver it to more than 220 partner organizations across 16 counties—including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and schools. These partners hand the food directly to the people who need it most.
"Together, we're rebuilding hope
for Western North Carolina."
Food Access Programs
Click to explore WNC food assistance resources
Our Community
Commitment
A Table for Everyone
Everyone deserves to eat, no matter where they live or what challenges they face. At MANNA, we envision a hunger-free Western North Carolina, where everyone can participate, prosper, and access nourishing food. We listen to our neighbors, because lasting solutions begin with their voices. We work every day to build a region where food is a right, not a privilege.
Rooted in Community
Hunger is not just a lack of food. It’s a sign of deeper struggles. MANNA resolves to develop community-driven solutions to hunger, honor our neighbors’ experiences, and address gaps in food access, including broader social and economic challenges that create poverty. Together, we’re building a future where everyone can live with strength, dignity, and health.
More Than a Meal
At MANNA, our work starts with food—but it doesn’t end there. We support food programs and public policy that build a society for everyone to thrive. We know that fighting hunger requires us to understand and overcome obstacles that divide communities. This is how we create a stronger, more united Western North Carolina.
“When policy fails, hunger rises. Advocacy is
essential to every meal we serve.”
MANNA
FoodBank’s Values
At MANNA, we show up for our community in Western North Carolina. We uphold the dignity of every person. We engage in this work with respect and compassion, ensuring equitable access to food and resources.
Ending hunger takes a community of neighbors, volunteers, staff, donors, and local leaders. Everyone brings a unique and essential perspective and deserves a seat at the table. We build connections and partnerships because we are stronger together.
We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our partners, and our neighbors. By being transparent, we foster trust, collaboration, and access to information, leading with integrity and purpose.
We listen to and learn from the voices of our community. We believe in a feedback-rich environment that thrives on self-reflection and learning to maximize our impact.
We cultivate a positive workplace that empowers our staff to find passion and fulfillment in our work.
Our values are not words on a page; they are alive in our day-to-day culture, our decision-making, and reflect our commitment to honoring the lived experiences of all those we serve together.
Every $1 = 4 Meals
Thanks to a strong community of donors and volunteers, MANNA stretches every resource possible to provide food to more than 120,000 people facing food insecurity across the region.
We can provide FOUR MEALS for every $1 donated.
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