MANNA FoodBank receives $25,000 grant to help fund its ‘BackPack Program’

Photos courtesy of MANNA FoodBank

MANNA FoodBank received a $25,000 grant from Morgan Stanley to help fund its BackPack Program, a child hunger initiative that helps to ensure students continue to receive nutritious food during school breaks.

“We are thrilled to receive this important grant from Morgan Stanley in support of our efforts to deliver more nutritious meals to children and families in Western North Carolina,” said Mary Nesbitt, MANNA’s Chief of Development. “Morgan Stanley and its employees provide vital support for MANNA FoodBank by generous contributions like this and many hours volunteering.”morgan stanley volunteer

MANNA’s BackPack Program puts food items, such as peanut butter, milk, cereal, bread and canned goods, into backpacks for children to take and use. With this program, children who are eligible to receive reduced-price or free lunch at school can get the nutrition they need, even when they are not in school over weekends or long breaks.

This grant is is part of the latest phase in Morgan Stanley’s more than $14 million commitment to Feeding America and its network of 200 local food banks that distribute millions of meals every year to children and families across the United States.

“We are honored to be able to help MANNA FoodBank in its important fight against child hunger,” said David Wilhelm, Morgan Stanley branch manager. “Giving back to the communities where we live and work is one of Morgan Stanley’s core values.”

 

Press Release from Maxwell Gruber

Asheville, NC —June 16, 2015—MANNA FoodBank announced a $25,000 grant from Morgan Stanley to fund its BackPack Program, a child hunger initiative that helps to ensure students continue to receive nutritious food during school breaks.

The grant is part of the latest phase in Morgan Stanley’s more than $14 million commitment to Feeding America and its network of 200 local food banks that distribute millions of meals every year to children and families across the United States.  Over the past three years, food banks like MANNA have received more than $4 million from the firm to help launch, expand and sustain critical childhood feeding programs.

MANNA FoodBank“We are thrilled to receive this important grant from Morgan Stanley in support of our efforts to deliver more nutritious meals to children and families in Western North Carolina,” said Mary Nesbitt, MANNA’s Chief of Development.  “Morgan Stanley and its employees provide vital support for MANNA FoodBank by generous contributions like this and many hours volunteering.”

MANNA’s BackPack Program puts nutritious food directly into the hands of children at risk of hunger by filling backpacks with staples like peanut butter, milk, cereal, bread and canned goods.  With this program, children who are eligible to receive reduced-price or free lunch at school can get the nutrition they need, even when they are not in school over weekends or long breaks.

“We are honored to be able to help MANNA FoodBank in its important fight against child hunger,” said David Wilhelm, Morgan Stanley branch manager. “Giving back to the communities where we live and work is one of Morgan Stanley’s core values.”

According to Feeding America’s Hunger in America 2014 study, 89 percent of Feeding America’s client households with at least one child lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

“Grants like this from Morgan Stanley make a vital difference in our efforts to provide these children with the nutritious meals they need every day,” said Nancy Curby, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Feeding America.

About MANNA Food Bank

MANNA FoodBank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Western North Carolina since 1983. As an accredited member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, the mission of MANNA FoodBank is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA serves 211 community-based non-profit food assistance agencies in 16 Western North Carolina counties and distributed 12.8 million pounds of food in 2013. To view MANNA’s Annual Report for 2013, or for more information, visit MANNAFoodbank.org or call 828-299-FOOD.

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About Jane Morrell
My name is Jane Morrell and I am a student from Troy University in Alabama. I am working as an intern for the Mountain Xpress over the summer. Follow me on Twitter @JaneMorrell2 Follow me @JaneMorrell2

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