News

Pensacola, FL (December 16, 2020) – Krewe of Lafitte, Allen Turner Hyundai, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and Manna Food Bank invite the public to Pack the Pirate Ship with healthy, nonperishable food for our neighbors in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Pack the Pirate Ship will be held Monday, December 21, 2020, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Allen Turner Hyundai’s previous location, 6000 Pensacola Boulevard (please enter through the Airport Boulevard entrance), and at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 West Cedar Street, both in Pensacola.

 

Donating is easy, and supporters can remain safely in their vehicles. Volunteers will offload food donations from vehicles at one of Krewe of Lafitte’s Pirate Ship floats. Financial gifts (cash, credit/debit cards and checks) are also appreciated.

 

“Manna suffered a concerning drop in food donations earlier this year due to COVID-19 – more than 200,000 pounds, in fact. And, by the end of 2020, we will have spent nearly $100,000 in food purchases that we don’t ordinarily have to,” said Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker. “Our community is an extremely generous one, but the need for food assistance is still great, which is why we are so grateful to Krewe of Lafitte for hosting this food drive,” she said.

 

Food and funds collected at Pack the Pirate Ship will help Manna provide nutritious food to the hungry in the coming months. Manna’s most-needed food items are chicken and tuna (canned and pouches), canned mixed vegetables, microwaveable dinners (e.g. Hormel Compleats), canned fruit in 100% juice, peanut butter (1 lb. jars and individual cups) and canned beans. To ensure safety, Manna cannot accept any rusty or unlabeled cans, perishable items, homemade items, noncommercial canned or packaged goods, alcoholic beverages, or items that have been used or opened. Please, no bulk food items (e.g. no # 10 cans, 5 lb. + bags of dry goods, etc.). A donation of $25.00 will provide food for five days to a child in need, and $50.00 will provide 30 healthy meals.

 

“It’s important to Krewe of Lafitte members to give back to our community. This year, it has been hard to hold events, but we wanted to find a way to make a difference for those in need,” said Keith Carson, Krewe of Lafitte Treasurer. “We know that hunger is still a significant problem in Northwest Florida, and by supporting the work of Manna, we know that we can make a big difference for those in need.”

 

For more information, please visit MannaHelps.org or call (850) 432-2053.

 

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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.