MANNA’s Community Commitment

At MANNA FoodBank, people experiencing hunger and food insecurity in our region are at the center of our actions and decisions. We envision a hunger-free Western North Carolina where everyone can participate, prosper and have access to nourishing food. We recognize and address the many barriers to food access, including the broader social and economic challenges that create and sustain increased risk of poverty and poor health.

We commit to serving the people of Western North Carolina and reaching those most in need in ways that honor our neighbors’ inherent strengths and experiences. We resolve to listen to our communities and develop solutions to hunger that are community-driven, honor a multitude of needs, and address gaps in access to food.

We support food programs and public policy efforts that aim to build a society where everyone can thrive. We seek to understand one another and overcome obstacles that could divide us, because no one should be hungry. 

MANNA FoodBank’s Values

We are here for our neighbors. 

At MANNA, we show up for our community in Western North Carolina. We uphold the dignity of each and every person. We engage in this work with respect and compassion, ensuring equitable access to food and resources. 

We believe in the power of community. 

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 embrace accountability and transparency. 

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 commit to learning, growing and adapting to the needs of our community. 

We listen to and learn from the voices of our community. We believe a feedback-rich environment that thrives on self-reflection and learning maximizes our impact.

We believe the wellness and sustainability of our staff is essential to our mission. 

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.