For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Manna Food Center, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Montgomery County Food Council have awarded $30,000 in capacity-and infrastructure-building Community Food Rescue (CFR) mini-grants to 13 County nonprofit organizations involved in food security efforts. Community Food Rescue is a Manna Food Center program.
The mini-grants support the recommendations of the County’s Food Security Plan, which set forth a vision for Montgomery County in which all people always have access to safe, nutritious food, with dignity.
The CFR mini-grants are funded by DHHS and administered by DHHS in coordination with the Montgomery County Food Council. A Montgomery County Food Council grants-evaluation team reviewed and evaluated the grant applications.
“These mini-grants are a great way to enhance the work of existing partners and to encourage new network members to join,” said Jackie DeCarlo, executive director of Manna Food Center. “Manna is proud to partner with DHHS and the Food Council in making these awards possible and further our viasion of good food for all.”
The nonprofit organizations receiving CFR mini-grants are: Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington; Celestial Manna; Clifton Park Baptist Church; Difference Makers; Gaithersburg HELP; Interfaith Works; Mount Jezreel Community Development; Rainbow Community Development Center; Red Wiggler Community Farm, September House MAJ; Small Things Matter; Up to Us Foundation; and Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington.
“We know that secure, consistent access to food resources can have a significant impact on an individual’s health status, including meeting basic human survival needs, and helping manage a host of chronic disease conditions. Addressing these concerns takes tremendous creativity, partnership, and ingenuity,” said Dr. Travis Gayles, County health officer. “DHHS is excited to continue our collaborations with the Food Council, Manna, and the community in supporting the mini-grant program to support ongoing efforts to address food security in Montgomery County.”
The organizations selected to receive grants will use their funding for specific efforts designed to increase the capacity and/or infrastructure for food security in the County. The funded projects must also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of efforts to reduce food insecurity in the county using partnerships and collaborations.
“These mini-grants are an excellent opportunity to increase the availability of critical food assistance resources to serve residents in our County's communities, as well as connect these providers with tools and best practices to expand services while increasing program sustainability, efficiency, and collaboration,” said Heather Bruskin, executive director of the Montgomery County Food Council.
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Release ID: 19-352