MLK Weekend Food Drive Brings in 28,000 Pounds of Food

(Gaithersburg, Maryland) – Manna Food Center (Manna) collected a total of 28,542 pounds of food during the MLK Service Weekend Food Drive held on January 19^th and 20^th at participating Giant Food stores in Montgomery County. Food donations increased by 87% from the previous year.

“We witnessed the strength and compassion of our community during MLK Service Weekend,” said Jackie DeCarlo, chief executive officer for Manna Food Center. “Many were motivated to help because of the government shutdown, including our long-term partner Giant Food. The shutdown opened the public’s eyes to ongoing issues around food insecurity here in Montgomery County.”

The 14 tons of food will help stock Manna’s shelves for Montgomery County neighbors in need. More than 63,000 residents live with uncertainty around food for themselves and their family. Manna waived income requirements to assist residents impacted from the shutdown. The waiver remains in effect until further notice. Food will be distributed to participants through existing distribution sites.

Over 200 Manna volunteers and 20 elected officials collected food items from shoppers throughout the weekend of service. The top five Giant Food stores were Westfield Wheaton (3114 lbs.), Blair Park (2193 lbs.), Kentlands (2052 lbs.), Burtonsville (1998 lbs.), and Traville Village Center (1758 lbs.).

Participating elected officials included:

• U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen
• U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin
• State Senators Cheryl Kagan and Jeff Waldstreicher

• Gabe Acevero
• Lorig Charkoudian
• Charlotte Crutchfield
• Kathleen Dumais
• Lesley Lopez
• David Moon
• Lily Qi
• Jared Solomon
• Jheanelle Wilkins

• Gabe Albornoz
• Evan Glass
• Will Jawando
• Hans Riemer

• Mayor Jud Ashman
• Laurie-Anne Sayles
• Ryan Spiegel

Photos available at http://bit.ly/MannaMLKFoodDrivePhotos.

(Photo Credit: Manna Food Center)