Population Served:
For the fiscal year 2023-2024, we served 5,359 families, 15,692 individuals, and prepared 817 backpacks for two elementary schools. Our programs include a weekly food pantry, which provides 33 backpacks and shopping assistance on an additional day for 30 seniors in conjunction with the Franklin County Office of Aging. Our numbers continue to increase.
About the Pantry:
The Client Choice Pantry enables individuals seeking food assistance to select the products they receive. Many Client Choice Pantries resemble small grocery stores with products arrayed on shelves and in coolers/freezers from which clients can fill their boxes/bags. The Client Choice Food Pantry model is a vital component of a community’s efforts to combat hunger. Not only does it make it easy to use a food bank, but it also provides clients with the opportunity to choose their own food. It gives the people being served a sense of dignity and control, and limits waste.
About the Backpack Program:
The Backpack Program serves students at two different schools. This program provides food for the weekend for students who reside in food-insecure homes.
About the Senior Citizens Program:
Franklin County Office of Aging provides transportation for our Senior Citizens to Heavenly Manna, which opens on a separate day. These senior citizen groups would not be able to visit Heavenly Manna if it were not for the Franklin County Office of Aging. The Senior Citizen Program offers nutritional food specifically tailored to seniors, including easy-open containers and dietary drinks to meet their daily needs, as well as complimentary toiletries. We are working with the Franklin County Department of Aging, targeting at least seventy-five senior citizens monthly.
About The Hope Center:
This program provides recovery services for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol issues and homelessness. The individual is required to volunteer at Heavenly Manna. We assist by donating food weekly to help feed these individuals.