Updated: May 5, 2020

In the wake of the recently declared State of Emergency, Manna House will remain open in service to low-income households, children, seniors, and homeless families in Baltimore city. Our primary focus will be to deliver bagged emergency food meals within the community weekdays 8 am-10 am Monday through Fridays.

Manna House will continue accepting “drive-thru” distributions of food between 11 am and 2 pm daily. Hunger relief work has always been dependent upon volunteers, and cancellations of group volunteer work are hindering our capacity. Nearly 90% of Manna House’s current network of breakfast meal preparation is voluntary, and help is crucial. Small groups of 1-3 are needed to help distribute meals in the mornings. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Cash donations will be of critical help to Manna House at this time to cover shortfalls in specific food donations and operations for emergency food distributions. Individuals, corporations, and foundations can make monetary gifts at online at Mannahouseinc.org. 

Manna House has taken additional precautions to ensure the health and safety of the community we serve and the employees and volunteers who commonly come into contact with the public. In addition to the typical protocol, these added measures are taking place during daily operations:

• Carrying hand sanitizer, gloves, and masks on hand at all times for food/resource distribution.
• Utilizing gloves for all deliveries and handling of fresh produce.
• Instructing all volunteers to wear gloves when handling sorting or packing of food boxes.
• Offer rescheduling for individual volunteers who communicate or show flu-like symptoms.

Manna House has also distributed a statement to volunteers and coordinators to help mitigate infection and keep our work healthy. These recommendations include:

• Stay home with any flu-like or respiratory illness symptoms such as coughing or fever.
• Direct health questions to a health professional.
• Keep hands away from face, eyes, and mouth.
• Clean all frequently touched areas frequently with alcohol wipes/disinfectants.
• Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds with hand soap and warm water.
• Use 60-95% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; and
• Practice social distancing when possible.