Press release from Manna FoodBank:
Nothing can hold back the giving spirit of the holidays here in Western North Carolina, particularly when it comes to ensuring that thousands of would-be empty plates will be filled with food. At a time when more people than ever are deeply burdened, Ingles Markets is again launching the annual Ingles Giving Tree, a benefit for MANNA FoodBank and neighbors across WNC struggling with hunger. Right now, MANNA and their partner network of nonprofit organizations are serving more than 120,000 people each month with emergency food support.
To kick off the holiday season, this year’s Ingles Giving Tree will feature the return of live holiday music, an Ingles gift card giveaway, and a celebration of the incredible thirty-year impact of this much-loved tradition. The tree lighting event will take place on Monday, November 21, from 5:00 to 6:00pm, in the Food Court of the Asheville Outlets, with Mrs. Laura Ingle on hand to light the tree in person. The lighting will be broadcast live on WLOS, between 5:30 and 6:00pm,and streaming live on WLOS’ website.
With the continued, elevated need for food in our region, guests attending the tree lighting are encouraged to bring healthy, shelf-stable food items to donate to MANNA. This year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Ingles Markets, every person who brings a donation of non-perishable food items on Monday, November 21, between the hours of 5:00pm and 8:00pm, or Tuesday, November 22, between the hours of 10:00am and 8:00pm, will be entered to win a $500 Ingles gift card!
Donations should be dropped at the MANNA table inside the Asheville Outlets Food Court. On Wednesday, November 23, a single winner will be drawn from all entries, and the winner will be contacted by MANNA FoodBank.
“We are overjoyed to know what this much needed support will mean to record numbers of people who are in crisis right now in our community,” said Mary Nesbitt, Chief Development Officer for MANNA. “We are immensely grateful for our extraordinary partnership with Ingles, for the millions of pounds of food that our Ingles Reclaim Center provides, and for their incredible commitment to bring our community together to help get food to those who need it so much during the holidays and throughout the year.”
Beyond the tree lighting event, Ingles stores across Western North Carolina will sell holiday icons at the register, giving Ingles shoppers the opportunity to make a monetary contribution to MANNA at check-out, which will bring a serving of holiday hope to neighbors throughout our mountains.
“Celebrating the season with this beautiful tradition is an honor for Ingles,” said Pat Jackson, Chief Financial Officer for Ingles Markets. “We are so grateful for our partners and to MANNA FoodBank for helping Ingles bring hope to those experiencing food insecurity in WNC.”
Robert Ingle said it best: It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Ingles Giving Tree.
Together, Ingles, MANNA, and their dedicated nonprofit partner organizations continue to ensure that the hope and giving of the season is still going strong, and serving neighbors who are facing their hardest moment with not just the food they need, but the hope that comes from a community that cares.
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