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Local food charity Manna from Heaven describes drive to expand weekly distribution and explore deliveries for seniors
Summary
Manna from Heaven, a Northern Virginia food distribution nonprofit founded during the COVID‑19 pandemic, told the board it distributes food to about 200 families monthly, partners with Nest for Us and other groups, and is exploring a delivery program to reach seniors and people with disabilities.
Debbie Wheeler, representing Manna from Heaven, briefed the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors during the May 6 meeting about the nonprofit’s food‑distribution operations and partnership network.
Wheeler said Manna from Heaven, founded in February 2020, supplies nutritious boxes and essential items to roughly 200 families per month in Northern Virginia, and distributes donated perishables and nonperishables in collaboration with partners including Nest for Us, Chick‑fil‑A, Whole Foods and local restaurants. She said volunteer teams collect weekly donations from Costco and other donors (individual truckloads described in comments as ranging from about 600 to 3,000 pounds), and that distribution events sometimes clear within an hour.
Board members asked whether the group performs home deliveries for seniors and people with limited mobility. Wheeler said delivery is “a path forward” and that Manna from Heaven already makes ad‑hoc deliveries for clients in need; the organization is exploring partnerships with local volunteer and caregiver nonprofits to establish a regular delivery program.
Wheeler also noted that 70% of the organization’s clients speak Spanish and that the group provides Spanish interpretation at distributions. The board and staff offered to share contacts for volunteer caregiving organizations and county resources to support food‑delivery pilots.
Supervisor Randall presented the organization’s recognition and praised volunteer partners and fraternity groups that assist with regular pickups and distribution. The nonprofit requested no formal county action during the presentation.
