Asheville, NC (Sept. 17, 2025) — The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has awarded MANNA FoodBank $975,000 to help purchase and distribute nutritious food for families across Western North Carolina. This critical funding comes at a time when food insecurity across the region is at historic heights. Each month, neighbors make more than 170,000 visits to MANNA’s food pantries, the highest level in the organization’s 42-year history.
The grant will support the purchase of essential staples, such as fresh produce, proteins like meat, dairy, and eggs, and shelf-stable items most requested by families. These foods will reach neighbors through MANNA’s network of more than 300 community-based nonprofit agencies, schools, and direct-to-neighbor programs across 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary.
Even before Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina last year, food insecurity in the region exceeded state averages. The storm worsened already fragile conditions, destroying farmland, displacing thousands of families, and driving costs even higher.
“Families across WNC are facing impossible choices between food, housing, medicine, and childcare,” said Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank. “This extraordinary investment from CFWNC and their donors means we can put millions of meals on tables when our neighbors need it most. These funds are more than food. They are hope, stability, and relief for families who have been through unimaginable hardship. We are deeply grateful for CFWNC’s leadership in helping us sustain this lifeline for our community.”
“Hunger and food insecurity have long been issues in WNC, a situation that was exacerbated by Helene in many ways,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “Not only was MANNA’s facility and inventory destroyed, but farms lost crops and topsoil, supply chains were disrupted, roadways were damaged or destroyed, and a year later communities are still recovering. We know that hungry children can’t learn, and we understand that food-insecure people struggle to find resources. Donors to our disaster fund made this grant and more than 500 others possible. We are grateful for their support and for MANNA’s work in the region.”
Since Hurricane Helene, MANNA has distributed nearly 18 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 15 million meals, and launched its Essential Foods Program, a multi-year commitment to ensure nutrient-dense foods are consistently available to families. This new grant from CFWNC will help MANNA sustain its purchasing power and continue to deliver critical nutrition to children, senior adults, veterans, and working families who are still struggling with recovery.
About The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
Bringing people together to address issues or crises is a key role of community foundations. CFWNC activated its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund to accept and disburse funds supporting regional relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. Funds helped ensure nonprofits had the resources needed for the critical early response and continuing recovery. More than 525 grants have been awarded since October 4. With this grant, CFWNC has awarded $39.6 million, spending down the money donated to date to help the region. Learn more about the hurricane response and CFWNC’s ongoing work at www.cfwnc.org.
About MANNA FoodBank
MANNA FoodBank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served Western North Carolina since 1983. As an accredited member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, MANNA’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA partners with over 300 community-based nonprofit food assistance agencies across 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary, creating a vital regional network of food security support. In fiscal year 2024–2025, MANNA distributed 22.8 million pounds of food, equivalent to an estimated 19 million meals for people across the region. On average, 170,000 individuals were served each month through MANNA’s programs and partner network. MANNA FoodBank is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about issues that could impact our neighbors now and in the future. For more information, visit MANNAFoodBank.org or call 828-299-FOOD.
This release was written by Micah Chrisman of the MANNA FoodBank.