September 28, 2022
SWAP......Supporting Wellness At Pantries MANNA held a “Feeding WNC Conference” in Waynesville last Wednesday. Martha, Carol, and Kathy had the opportunity to learn from agency leaders about how they create uniquely welcoming and dignified experiences for every neighbor who enters their doors. Partners from across WNC shared their best practices to ensure food distribution feels accessible and welcoming to all. SWAP supports wellness at pantries and is striving to offer more nutritional options through MANNA which now categorizes food so agency leaders and neighbors can select healthier items.
Speaking of healthy choices, St. Andrews Gleaners through the Rotary Club, brought tomatoes and peppers. The Lord’s Acre of Fletcher, our Garden, provided 85 pounds of collards, and North River Farms supplied five boxes of tomatoes. Bright Farms donated Spring Mix, MilCo, milk, and City Bakery and Ingles donated bread. A donor brought in items from Bimbos Bakery. Shopping locally items were purchased from Manna, Sav-Mor, JMJ Tomato Company (potatoes, onions squash), and Ingles. Our 123 families, representing 437 individuals and 14 new families had many healthy choices this week.
Neighbors and volunteers had the opportunity to have their eyes checked by the Lions Club. Each participant leaves with a print out with information gathered from the screening. The Lions Club will return later in the year for screening.
A note from Doug Kearney, our Gardner Manager... Fall has descended upon us. Yea! It's cooler, and the summer pace of harvest and weeding has eased. It’s a great time to be outside for some easy weeding and tucking in the beds for winter. So, join us, Thursday at 4:00 for just an hour of light work in the garden.
On behalf of the executive committee, thank you to our volunteers and our area churches, civic groups, local merchants, and families for all you do to feed our community helping to reduce food insecurity.
Kathy Noyes
