MANNA Plans Holiday Food Distribution for Up To 1,000 Local Families

MANNA FoodBank announced on Dec. 12 that it will hold a holiday food distribution on Dec. 18 at Gate 7 of the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. The drive will provide boxes containing fresh produce, meat, eggs and dry goods to as many as 1,000 families in Buncombe County and the surrounding region. Organizers said attendees must RSVP at MannaFoodBank.org/HolidayFood and are encouraged to pick time slots to help manage traffic flow at the site.

Logistics are designed to increase access while limiting congestion. Each vehicle will be allowed to pick up boxes for up to two families. Walk ups are welcome. MANNA has advised residents to choose and arrive during their selected time window so distribution operations can proceed efficiently and safely for volunteers and recipients alike. The RSVP page includes the time slot options and further arrival guidance.

The event will provide immediate relief to households facing food insecurity during the holiday period. For many families, access to perishable items such as fresh produce and eggs can be difficult because of cost, transportation barriers or limited store availability. Holiday distributions like this one help reduce short term nutrition gaps and ease some pressure on household budgets, while also highlighting longer term needs in the county.

Public health officials and community advocates view such distributions as an important stopgap that complements broader food system supports. Consistent access to healthy food affects chronic disease management, maternal and child health, and overall community wellbeing. At the same time, reliance on episodic distributions underscores systemic gaps in income support, affordable housing, and reliable transportation that contribute to persistent food insecurity.

Residents who cannot attend on Dec. 18 are advised to visit MannaFoodBank.org/HolidayFood for information about alternate food resources and additional assistance options. Community groups and health providers seeking to coordinate support during the holiday week may also find scheduling and contact details on that site.