More than 300 people have registered so far for food boxes at Manna Mission Ministry that begins this Saturday at the Rescue Mission. The ministry, formerly known as Manna Ministries, is moving to the Mission from its current location in Vinton.
Mission staff has been registering eligible recipients all month. One of the registrars, Carolyn Word said, “Everyone has been appreciative and enthusiastic. Everything has been organized and the people have been very receptive. They’ve just been a joy to register and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to serve them and get to know them better.”
Word said she has been especially impressed with the dedication of the Manna volunteers, many of whom have already begun helping with the preparations at the Rescue Mission in order to ensure a smooth start-up.
Mission Executive Board member Brenda Allen has also been involved with the registration and agreed with Word that the volunteers who have always been with Manna will continue as the front-line volunteers in the new location at the Rescue Mission.
“Manna has built a great foundation over the years and we’re looking forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with their volunteers. We want them to know how important their continued involvement is in ensuring the future success of the program,” said Allen. “We can’t do it without them.”
Juanita Whorley is among a group from her church, Thrasher Memorial United Methodist in Vinton, who has volunteered for Manna the last five years. “I’m happy to continue it at the Rescue Mission,” Whorley said while assembling boxes in preparation for Saturday. “I enjoy the fellowship of working together, and knowing we’re doing our part to combat hunger.”
At its Vinton location, Manna served close to 1500 families last year, some on a one-time basis and others monthly. The highest percentage of its recipients reside in Southeast, the same neighborhood Carilion identified in its 2012 Health Needs Assessment as having the greatest unmet health needs in the Roanoke Valley, with wellness listed among the top barriers impacting health.
“These are our neighbors,” said Mission CEO Joy Sylvester-Johnson. “By adding fresh produce to the monthly grocery boxes, hopefully we can provide high-quality, nutritious food that can address some of those very important health needs. Families with kids, people with disabilities and the elderly who are food-insecure will be our focus.”
The first food box distribution is this Saturday from 8:00 am-10:00 am, with a free pancake breakfast in the Rescue Mission dining room included. For those who missed the pre-registration, they may come to the Rescue Mission Reception area any day between the hours of 1:00 pm- 8:00 pm to register for future Saturday Food Box distributions.
