Manna's reflections on our journey toward racial & social justice
Civil unrest and the Covid pandemic continue in our community and our world. As peaceful protests convened in Montgomery County, MD, a similar protest was broken up by Federal authorities in Washington, DC. Some MoCo businesses are reopening in a limited manner, while physical distancing here at Manna Food Center continues.
The threats and contradictions make it important to state that since 2017 Manna Food Center has been working as an institutional ally for racial and social justice. For us that means that we actively seek to share power with people of color and offer opportunities for people of color. Here's how:
To build the mindsets and skills necessary for racial justice, all staff participate in equity training as do our Board of Directors. Our emerging leadership have been supported with scholarships to conferences such as Closing the Hunger Gap. Diversity is a priority for recruitment efforts of staff and volunteers. Our community—volunteers, congregations, not-for-profits, and food recipients—are working together toward our vision where all people at all times have access to good food in welcoming spaces.
We share this not to make ourselves feel good and satisfied, but instead to emphasize that there is work to do and we are called to keep doing it. At Manna we encourage People of Color Caucuses so that there are safe spaces for African Americans and Latino/as to gather to share and care for each other. We participate in advocacy activities and in literally Breaking Bread together to generate solutions to root causes of hunger and poverty. Supported by our Board we work hard, if imperfectly, to make sure that Manna Food Center is as effective as possible in this moment. We are guided by our core values of respect, service, and partnership.
We thank the community for its offerings of time, talent, and treasure that makes our work possible. The convergence of race, class, political views, and religious affiliations that is "Manna Food Center" motivates us during these troubling times so that everyone can contribute to making our community a place where we all live in dignity.
~~ Jackie DeCarlo, CEO, June 2, 2020