Guidelines for
Referring Agencies


Eligibility

  • The referral agency establishes eligibility for referring clients.

  • Clients need a referral each time they come to Manna.
  • Clients must live in Montgomery County.
  • Clients must earn less than $70,000 for a family of four or $33,000 for a single person. These figures are based on the 2008 self-sufficiency standards for Montgomery County.
  • Clients can also be eligible by being part of any kind of public assistance program.
  • Clients can receive food once every 30 days.
  • Clients are eligible to receive one food pickup per household, not per person.

Information You Need to Make a Referral:

Referrals must be made at least one day in advance. We accept referrals until 5 pm the day before a scheduled pickup. You need to provide the following information for each client you refer.

  • Your name as the agency contact
  • The name of your agency
  • Your phone number
  • Client's Full Name
  • Client's Complete Address (PO Boxes are not acceptable)
  • Client's Date of Birth
  • Number of adults & children in client's family
  • Date & location of desired food pick up

Referring a Client:

You can leave a referral on the voice mail. Please speak slowly and clearly when leaving the referral and please spell the name of your client.

Download a Referral Form

PDF format PDF

A referring agency may refer a maximum of 25 clients per day. If your client has special dietary needs, you can request a vegetarian or diabetic box. If your client has infants or toddlers in their family, please let us know and we will try to provide diapers, baby food and formula when it is available. Please indicate the size of diaper, stage of baby food, or brand of formula.

Food Pickups

  • The client must show ID in order to pick up food.
  • A client may pick up food for one additional client who has a referral by bringing a copy of the other client's ID.
  • A referring agency staff may pick up for up to 25 clients with their agency ID.

Please make sure your client is aware of the following:

  • Knows WHERE to pick up their food
  • Knows WHEN to pick up their food
  • Knows to BRING the clients ID to pick up food
  • Is prepared to transport the food which will weigh about 70lbs.
  • Knows to contact you to reschedule the pick up if he/she cannot make it to Manna as planned. Referrals are only good for the date and time you have set up.
  • Understands he/she need a new referral EVERYTIME they pick up food.

Holidays and Inclement Weather

All Manna sites are closed in observance of the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, the day following Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

In the event of inclement weather, check Manna's website for more information. We typically follow the Montgomery County Government policies but may decide to close a satellite location if it is not safe for our drivers and clients to be on the road. If Manna is closed, we will automatically honor the referral the next day.