News

Pensacola, FL (February 19, 2019) – On Sunday, February 24, the Krewe of Sparta will hold its 8th Annual All Krewe Humanitarian Award Food Drive Challenge at Manna Food Pantries, 3030 North E Street. Mardi Gras Krewes have worked to collect food donations for several weeks leading up to the food drop-off and weigh-in event. The collective goal this year is 30,000 pounds of food, which will provide the equivalent of 22,500 meals to feed neighbors in need through Manna’s pantries and programs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

“We (the Krewes) like to have fun, but we also like giving back. This food drive gives us the chance to have some healthy competition while helping the hungry in our community,” said Jimmy Hendrix of Krewe of Sparta. “We’ve changed the way the event works this year and hope the changes will increase participation.”

New this year, Krewes will compete in two divisions – large and small. The small division is for Krewes with 45 members or fewer, and the large division is for Krewes with 46 members or more. Both divisions will award a first place trophy, as well as second and third place recognition.

As in years past, points are assigned as food is weighed-in from each Krewe. Krewes can earn double points for donating Manna’s most-needed food items including canned chicken, canned tuna, canned fruit, fruit juice, and oatmeal in the appropriate sizes.

Last year, the all-Krewe event raised 28,494 pounds of food. With the donations, Manna was able to provide approximately 21,369 meals to the hungry in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the form of groceries.

“The donations from the all-Krewe food drive are critical to our operation this time of the year when the holiday giving season is over. This food drive means so much to our neighbors in need,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna. “We are so grateful for the continued generosity of the Mardi Gras Krewes.”

The winners of the 8th Annual All Krewe Humanitarian Award Food Drive Challenge will be named on March 5, at the Pensacola Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Priscus Celebration to be held at Seville Quarter.

For more information about Manna, please visit mannahelps.org.