Heroes Against Hunger Awards
Manna Food Center’s Heroes Against Hunger Awards Reception honors leaders in our community who are making a difference in the fight against hunger.
Manna recognizes community champions in the fight against hunger in three categories – Individual Hero, Corporate Hero & Community Hero. The award winners, chosen by Manna’s Board of Directors, demonstrate a true passion for fighting hunger and feeding hope in Montgomery County.
The event features a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, followed by a short but meaningful ceremony celebrating our Heroes.
Come celebrate with us on May 8th, 2024 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Black Rock Center for the Arts
Early Bird Tickets are now available! Please visit our Event Portal to purchase!
Meet our 2024 Heroes
Individual Hero
Sabrina Matoff-Stepp, an advocate against hunger since 2000, prioritized serving meals to homeless individuals in Washington D.C. and expanded her efforts to Montgomery County during the pandemic. Regularly volunteering at Manna Food Center’s Choice Market and Liberty Grove Methodist Church Food Pantry, she assists community members in accessing nutritious groceries with warmth and recognition. Sabrina’s commitment extends beyond direct service, actively participating in Manna’s Breaking Bread discussions and advocating for effective food insecurity programs and policies.
Community Hero
The Upcounty Hub
The Upcounty Hub was founded with a philosophy centered on providing individuals and families with food and other essentials, without the need for documentation to prove necessity. They embrace the philosophy of “rising by lifting others,” uniting the community in the fight against food insecurity. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have served as a crucial lifeline for Northern Montgomery County, expanding services to hard-to-reach areas and providing culturally competent resources. With partnerships across food distribution organizations and collaborations with political and civic groups, they actively demonstrate dedication to ending hunger and supporting vulnerable populations.
Corporate Hero
MedStar Montgomery
MedStar Montgomery, a 138-bed non-profit medical center, provides high-quality, personalized care in a welcoming environment. Dedicated to community health, they offer advanced specialties and technologies not typically found at community hospitals. Staff host an annual Food and Funds Drive to gather donations to support Manna’s school-based programs. Additionally, they have historically donated fresh produce from their garden to support a locally sourced, nutritious supply of food for community members experiencing hunger.
An Individual Hero:
- Lives or works in Montgomery County
- Is an influencer, leader, and friend of the Montgomery County nonprofit food support community, actively contributing to food security initiatives and making a profound impact toward a hunger-free Montgomery County
- Supports Manna Food Center through investments of time, treasure, and/or talent
A Corporate Hero:
- Has a significant corporate presence in Montgomery County.
- Has been a consistent partner of the Montgomery County nonprofit food community, supporting with food, funds and friends.
- Supports Manna Food Center through investments of time, treasure, and/or talent
A Community Hero:
- Has a significant community presence in Montgomery County
- Has actively contributed to a hunger-free Montgomery County
- Supports Manna Food Center through partnerships and collaboration activities
2024 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Manna Food Center would not be able to fight hunger and feed hope without support from our community, and our Heroes Against Hunger event sponsors are essential in helping us feed over 50,000 neighbors experiencing hunger. Each sponsorship level includes event tickets, sponsor benefits, and contributes to our longstanding mission in Montgomery County. Click Here to learn more.
Become a Sponsor
***Note: You will receive tickets with your transaction receipt via email, but a formal sponsorship acknowledgement letter will be mailed to you after the event.