News
2020 Fill the Mayflower food drive provides more than 130,000 meals for neighbors in need
Pensacola, FL (November 25, 2020) – The Northwest Florida community generously donated food and funds during the 2020 Fill the Mayflower food drive. The area’s largest multi-day food drive, Fill the Mayflower supports the operations of Manna Food Pantries. Donations from the two-day event will provide more than 130,000 meals to neighbors in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The event is made possible by Coastal Moving & Storage, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3, and WEAR Ch. 3 News.
Food collected during Fill the Mayflower will be distributed through Manna’s programs and partners in the two-county area, which have experienced increased need for food assistance this year. In response to the effects of coronavirus and Hurricane Sally, Manna has focused on supporting the needs of at-risk, vulnerable populations served pre-COVID-19, as well as those who suddenly find themselves unemployed or with reduced hours and have unmet needs. As a result, Manna has distributed nearly 600,000 pounds of food this year, including fresh produce, to neighbors in need.
“Over the past year, Manna has provided food to more than 30,000 people – significantly more than the year before,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna. “Fill the Mayflower raised the food and funds we need to help feed the hungry in the coming months. We’re so grateful to the Northwest Florida community for supporting this event and continuing to show an amazing capacity to help those in need.”
Fill the Mayflower 2020 donations were up 50% over 2019.
“Many thanks to Jay and Jennifer Bradshaw, owners of Coastal Moving and Storage, for sponsoring Fill the Mayflower, and to our media sponsors Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio, and WEAR,” said Flounlacker.
For more information, please visit mannahelps.org.
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About Manna
Manna’s mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger. A local grassroots organization with no national affiliation or government funding, Manna provided food to 35,417 people last year. Manna operates a network of three emergency food distribution pantries and nine specialty programs with 10 community partners in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. For more information, please visit www.mannahelps.org.