Advocate
Food security is complex, with roots in poverty, housing costs, isolation, location, and health issues. We advocate for sustainable, transformative change across local, state, and federal levels to make food security possible for everyone.
We’re grounded in two core ideals: community empowerment and proactive leadership.
AdvocaSeeds: our advocacy task force
Our volunteer task force, AdvocaSeeds, advocates for food justice across three subcommittees: Coalition and Movement-Building, Innovative Story-Making, and Advocacy Strategies and Research. AdvocaSeeds is made up of community members who represent the diversity of our county, including having lived experience of food insecurity. Compensation is offered to task force members who face systemic barriers to participation.
To get involved, please submit the AdvocaSeeds Interest Form.
Food Justice Coalition
A joint effort between Manna and Shepherd’s Table, the Food Justice Coalition is a forum for community-driven, grassroots efforts for food justice. Community members are welcomed to strategize and organize toward a community where food is accessible, affordable, and our own.
To join the coalition, please RSVP for the next meeting.
Manna Storytellers
We encourage participants to share their stories about Manna’s programs, state and federal food access programs, and other interactions with the local and national food systems. Storytellers choose their format (such as written, photographs, or videos) and can remain anonymous.
To become a Manna Storyteller, please contact Akanksha “AK” Sinha, our advocacy manager, at [email protected].
Latest advocacy news
“We have a 3-year-old and a child with autism who needs a lot of support, so I work as a full-time parent. The wages my husband earns in construction often aren’t enough to cover the cost of rent, food and other basic necessities in Montgomery County. The food support I receive from Manna, and free MCPS breakfasts and lunches, help us make sure our children start school with a full stomach, ready to learn. I want that for all children — that’s why I speak out.”
– Jennifer Rodriguez, mother of three, Manna participant and MLK childhood hunger roundtable panelist
Advocacy partners
- Montgomery County Food Council
- Food Research & Action Center
- Reentry for All
- Making Home Possible
- Maryland Hunger Solutions
- City of Gaithersburg
- No Kid Hungry
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
- Maryland Department of Labor
- The Alliance to End Hunger
- State of Maryland
- Shepherd’s Table
Contact your representatives
Support Manna’s advocacy by reaching out to your Montgomery County Council members. Let them know that fighting hunger in our community must be a priority, demonstrated by their commitment to county resources and policy solutions that make food security possible.