The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

West Tennessee Nonprofit Expands Food Aid Program Across the Delta

Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:59 AM

The Delta Grassroots Caucus would like to inform our colleagues throughout the region about the excellent project of the nonprofit Shiloh Distribution Center for providing meat, nonperishable foods and supplies throughout the Delta. In January, 2011 Shiloh D.C. achieved its goal of disseminating over 20,000 pounds of foods per month to needy people in west Tennessee and parts of Mississippi, and starting on February 1, 2011 Shiloh’s Manna Connect program will expand its food distribution goals of over 20,000 pounds to each one of the Delta areas of all eight states in the Delta Regional Authority: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri.

Information on how nonprofits and other eligible entities can apply for assistance from Shiloh D.C.’s Manna Connect project is below in the article written by Charita Johnson and Vivian Fry-Greer, the leaders of Shiloh D.C. They are based in Lexington in west Tennessee, but are active across the entire Delta region and have participated in several Delta Caucus activities over the years.

We plan to have the Shiloh Distribution Center leaders participating at our May 5-6, 2011 Delta conference at the Clinton Presidential Center, so the Delta Caucus partners can learn more about this excellent program.

Congratulations to Vivian and Charita for all their excellent work and best wishes for continued success. Thanks–Lee Powell, executive director, Delta Grassroots Caucus

MANNA CONNECT COMES TO THE DELTA REGION

CONTACT: Charita Johnson or Vivian Fry-Greer at 1-877=967-0414

Shiloh Distribution Center, Inc. (Shiloh D.C.), a 501c3 non-profit corporation headquartered in rural West Tennessee, is bringing their Manna Connect program to the Delta Regions through the expansion of their 20,000 lb. Hunger Strike Goal. During Fall 2010, Shiloh D.C. began their goal of dissemination of 20,000+ pounds of meat and non-perishable foods per a month to individuals and families in need within the West Tennessee area and parts of Mississippi through collaborative relationships with community organizations and ministries.

As of January 2011, the organization has exceeded that goal and is embarking on bringing the 20,000 pound initiative to the remaining states within the Delta Region. This initiative is a monthly goal to help stamp out poverty in the rural areas of the Delta Region.

This 20,000 lb. Hunger Strike Goal is part of the non-profit’s new program, Manna Connect, which was designed to assist the people and organizations in need within the Delta Region areas through the connection between small nonprofits and mainstream food distribution companies.

As Charita Johnson of Shiloh DC explained some of the key advantages of this program: “At this present time, we incur the cost of the products we receive and the shipping for each truckload. This includes the meats, as well, as grocery products. The benefit that the companies are providing to our program is that we are able to buy in bulk for tremendous discounts. Through the Manna Connect program, Shiloh then offers these savings to other smaller organizations that would otherwise not be able to receive it. We are working now with those major companies to receive products at no-cost, as well.” Smithfield, J & B Group and other companies are involved in the program.

Shiloh D.C. works to provide its member agencies with the meats, supplies, and other food products necessary to adequately assist those in need in their service area. The expansion of the program will involve the initiating of the 20,000 pound goal in each of the eight states within the Delta Region.

Starting February 1, 2011, Shiloh D.C. will be accepting applications from non-profits, community service organizations, churches, shelters, food pantries, sites that serve pre-pared meals, and any other non-profit based facilities in the Delta Regions of Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee that are reaching out to service their communities.

Applications and more detailed information can be received via the organization’s Operation CAN DO website (operationcando2020.org) or you may contact them via email (manna@operationcando2020.org) or phone (731.249.5668 or 877.967.0414). Eligible organizations and facilities will need to complete a Manna Connect application and have it turned in with all necessary documentation by Monday, February 28, 2011.

The application process is fairly simple, but Shiloh D.C. will require each entity to prove that they will adequately disseminate the products that are received to those most in need within their communities. Small and fairly new organizations and churches, who require additional assistance in food distribution will be eligible to receive technical assistance training from Shiloh D.C., as well.

The 20,000 lb. Hunger Strike Goal is part of Phase 1 of Shiloh’s Manna Connect program, which is an overall food assistance and healthy families program. This program has been designed as a parent and child participation project to develop a healthy and fun approach to choosing healthy eating alternatives and cooking with one of the main goals being to get children involved in healthy decisions.

Phase 2 of the program, which will begin in Fall 2011, will involve the Healthy Initiative that will focus on diet and fitness within the family. The Manna Healthy Initiative project will connect youth, parents, mentors, and culinary professional together through the sharing and provision of ideas and influences with positive structure and goals primarily targeted to youth through children and family-based programming involving healthy preparation of vegetable, meats, and other nutritious foods.

Phase 3 of the program will invoke the use of technology and more defined community events to enforce the processes and success derived in Phases 1 and 2.

Shiloh DC’s regional food bank assists nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and service organizations within their immediate service region in the Delta and in special areas throughout the U.S. in reaching the hungry and needy within their own communities. They have a top priority of offering support and guidance to member agencies that are actively involved in running a community food bank or food assistance program.

Shiloh Food Bank also works diligently mentoring non-profits, faith-based institutions, and service organizations in the development of food assistance programs and providing them with instrumental knowledge in obtaining other donated food, grocery items, and paper products to effectively serve their communities.

For more information, please contact Vivian Fry-Greer or Charita Johnson at 877.967.0414.