Advocacy Task Force Newsletter | |
| |
|
Welcome to Manna's Advocacy Task Force Newsletter!
One of Manna’s top organizational priorities is to advocate expanding access to healthy food, promote food system resilience, and leverage our reputation to address underlying inequities. Manna’s vision of “food for all” in Montgomery County requires policy change and work at a broader scale to address the underlying inequities that lead to food insecurity.
Through strategic advocacy partnerships with top organizations and leaders, Manna Food Center can lend support, awareness, and resources to implement change.
To achieve this, our actions will include:
- Educating our community about hunger and its solutions,
- Building relationships with elected officials to advance our advocacy agenda and shape policy efforts.
- Engaging with community members through committees, councils, and task forces to amplify key voices and perspectives,
- Committing to work in new ways with organizations working at the intersections of food security, health, and housing.
|
| |
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service Event | |
In January 2024, Manna's Advocacy Task Force honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by hosting a child hunger roundtable with the City of Gaithersburg. This event had great success due to several key factors. To start off, we chose a great location! The staff at the Gaithersburg Youth Center provided a welcoming environment for open discussion and engagement. Despite weather conditions, we were excited to see a turn-out of approximately 50-60 participants, demonstrating the community’s commitment. One highlight was the Breaking Bread meal, which not only introduced discussion topics, but it also encouraged meaningful connections among attendees. The support from youth volunteers was valuable, as they played an important role in preparation, logistics, and donation management. We are grateful for the support of COG and Youth Center staff, whose dedication added to our event’s success. Manna Food Center, Gaithersburg Hub, and Gaithersburg HELP collected an impressive 487 pounds of food for those in need in our community. The community conversation and leadership panel, featured a diverse mix of panelists, inspired action and dedication among attendees. What a great turnout! | |
COG/Gaithersburg Youth Center Volunteers | |
(L to R): Montgomery County Food Council Director of Policy and Partnerships Michelle Caruso (moderator); Director of the MC Office of Food Systems Resilience Heather Bois Bruskin; Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr; MCPS Board of Education member Julie Yang; Councilmember William Jawando; and MCPS parent, Jennifer Rodriguez | |
(L to R) Manna Food Center CEO, Jackie DeCarlo, Advocacy Task Force Chair, David Luckett, Council Member William Jawando, Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg, Jud Ashman | |
Contributor: Agar Mbianda | |
Manna Food Center Programs Included in National Anti-Hunger and Health Strategy | | |
|
Two Manna collaborative programs, Farm to Food Bank and Small Business Vouchers, were among 141 commitments recognized at a Feb. 27th White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities event headlined by Second Gentleman Emhoff, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Chef Jose Andres.
“Accepting the White House Challenge propels Manna and our partners to advance a vision of Food for All. We believe in a community where everyone can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to making our community a place where all live in dignity,” said Jackie DeCarlo, Chief Executive Officer of Manna.
Manna is investing in the expansion of these two programs, which both circulate financial and food resources throughout the local economy. A grocery voucher pilot that was created during the Covid pandemic has been increasing food access and affordability focused on immigrant communities in Montgomery County, MD...[..]
|  | Manna Food Center CEO, Jackie DeCarlo pictured with Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | | |
Montgomery County Food Council
Town Hall with County Executive and
Food Assistance Providers
| |
|
On February 13, 2024, the Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC) facilitated a Town Hall with County Executive, Marc Elrich, 50 food assistance providers and concerned community members. The new Executive Director for the Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC), Nanya Chiejine, introduced herself and welcomed County Executive Marc Elrich and thanked him for his leadership in food insecurity.
March Elrich included in his statement:
- Nonprofits play an important role in the food security realm. Community members respond much better to, and trust community-based nonprofits more, than they do the government,
- We must be equitable and look at value-added strategies such as looking at different suppliers, providing more choice and a more diverse range of foods.
- It will be important to build up the capacity of nonprofits, including technology and infrastructure, and maximizing all public and private dollars.
- Incomes, affordable housing and access to affordable child care all impact hunger and he will be continuing to address these issues as well. Workforce Montgomery is helping train people for good-paying jobs. The County raised the minimum wage, but he believes that it needs to be raised again and adjusted for inflation. Rent stabilization was passed, but the cap is still too high; he believes it should be lowered to the rate of inflation. The County will also be putting more money into affordable housing.
- Schools will continue to play a major role in combatting hunger.
- He is committed to the work of the new Office of Food System Resiliency (OFSR) and their goals. Heather Bruskin has been Director of this Office for one year and now has two more staff members to help her, including one dedicated to data collection and analysis.
Contributor: Mary Bennett
| | |
Justice and Advocacy Coalition of Montgomery County |
- Ongoing meetings with County Council Members.
- Submitted letter in support of State HB 477, re “Just Cause Eviction”.
- Submitted letter in support of County ZTA 24-01 (FAITH ZTA) re building affordable. housing on land owned by schools and congregations.
- Member of the state Healthy School Meals for All Coalition, advocating for state bills SB 579 and HB 696 to provide universal school meals throughout Maryland.
- Attended and support Action in Montgomery (AIM) March 17 action for universal Pre-K.
- Submitted letter advocating for County rental assistance based on income.
Contributor: Mary Bennett
| Montgomery County Food Council Advocacy | |
|
The Montgomery County Food Council Advocacy Legislation Tracker can be found here.
Contributor: Mary Bennett
| |
Upcoming Community Events | |
End Childhood Hunger Collaborative Kickoff event is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2024 in Rockville. The event will bring partners already working in implementing the recommendations of the Strategic Plan to End Hunger and many other partners who are looking to learn and get involved. | | | | |
