Sue Daugherty, CEO of MANNA discussed this vital resource for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. MANNA provides medically tailored meals to individuals and meals for their dependents. She discussed its 1990 beginnings in a church kitchen offering food and comfort during the early AIDs crisis, growing to support people dealing with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, renal failure and more.

She talked about the evidence, patients who receive the proper diet after a hospitalization are less likely to return to the hospital or use the emergency room and her advocacy to get medically prescribed food covered by insurance. On average, monthly healthcare costs were 31% less and hospitalizations were cut in half for MANNA enrolled patients compared to patients not receiving MANNA’s services. MANNA, accredited for also teaches patients about nutrition to stay healthy.  

MANNA is volunteer driven, 8,000 who form the kitchen staff and the drivers who deliver the meals, 1.2 million meals per year.

Thanksgiving is special to MANNA, special volunteer drivers deliver full, hot Thanksgiving dinners for four to each client. MANNA also offers Pie in the Sky, selling a variety of volunteer-baked pies for the holiday, this year you can purchase a pie in honor of its great supporter, the late Pierre Robert. The MANNA store   sells apparel such as aprons or beanies for additional funds. 

For the first time, MANNA has a wait list for services. To donate or to volunteer or to learn more about MANNA services go to MANNAPA.org.