COVID-19: MANNA/National Guard partner to feed hungry in Western North Carolina
SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The goal of the MANNA FoodBank is to feed those in need year-round. That need is even greater now with so many people out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. MANNA is getting help with food distribution from the North Carolina National Guard in Operation Mountain Top.
During times like these, MANNA's community market distributions, like one at Southwestern Community College's Swain County campus, take on even more meaning.
“We have got some pre-packaged dry goods boxes for folks. We've got pre-packaged produce boxes for folks,” MANNA’s Keeka Grant said.
Grant said the coronavirus pandemic is amplifying the need.
“We're still seeing much higher numbers than we're used to seeing,” she said.
A drive-thru Wednesday helped to fill the kitchens of hundreds.
“We're expecting potentially 180-200 families,” Grant said.
MANNA has always had a mission to feed to hungry, but now the North Carolina National Guard is helping in Operation Mountain Top.
“We had one family last week told me that they were picking up not just for their family but also for their parents, who couldn't get out,” Sgt. Jonathan Greene said.
Greene, with the 883rd Engineer Company out of Winston-Salem, is aware of the food need in MANNA's region of 16 western counties.
“My mom lives on less than $600 a month. So, this really helps her out. And my uncle draws even less. So, this extra food really helps them out,” Connie Crisp said.
“You don't have anything in the refrigerator, like, you're really down. This is a godsend,” Joe Collins said.
Guardsmen helped with traffic flow and loading food into cars.
Greene said it’s a good feeling to be involved in a mission like this, even appearing in a National Guard video about the operation.
MANNA and residents said they’re grateful for their service.
“They’ve just been jumping in anywhere and everywhere, and it's been immensely, tremendously helpful during this time,” Grant said.
“It's good to have them, and it gives us a chance, too, to tell them thank you,” Collins said.
MANNA said some guardsmen are forklift and truck certified and are helping in its warehouse, too
Food distributions are planned next week in Buncombe and Avery counties.
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