PRESS RELEASE from MANNA FoodBank:
Ingles Markets and MANNA FoodBank invite the community to attend the 23rd annual lighting of the Ingles Giving Tree at the Asheville Mall on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
The Giving Tree is a 10-ton construction of non-perishable food items donated by Ingles Markets, and constructed and decorated by MANNA Food Bank staff and volunteers. Laura Ingle will light the tree and musical entertainment will be provided by the Bell Elementary School Chorus, with a special performance by the Asheville Choral Society.
Ingles will offer entry into a drawing for a $500 gas card to anyone that donates food at the Giving Tree on Nov. 23 and 24. The drawing for the gift card will be Nov. 25; you do not need to be present to win. Ingles will match all financial donations made to MANNA at the Giving Tree, up to $25,000.
“We partner with MANNA year-round to help provide food for families facing hunger,” said Ron Freeman, CFO of Ingles Markets, in a statement. “We recognize that the holidays can be especially difficult. We invite our customers to celebrate the lighting of the tree and to join in giving in whatever way they can.”
MANNA Food Bank is able to provide food for three meals with every dollar donated, the nonprofit said.
“In 2014, MANNA distributed over 15.5 million pounds of food to WNC,” said Cindy Threlkeld, executive director of MANNA Food Bank. “This is enough to provide 35,388 meals every day. This would not be possible without the strong support of corporate partners like Ingles or the generosity of donors and volunteers,” she said. “We celebrate these acts of kindness every year when we light the Giving Tree.”
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