Posted May 13, 2022

Archdiocesan Nutritional Development Services (NDS) has kicked off its annual “Manna Sunday” food drive, with a goal to collect 80,000 pounds of non-perishable food items that will benefit area individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurity.

For more than 45 years, the agency has relied on the drive  — named for the edible substance God provided the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the desert (Ex 16:4-36) — to counter anticipated summertime slumps in donations to its network of food pantries.

This year, the relief effort is expected to be even more critical as households grapple with higher costs for food and other essentials amid the pandemic and current global events.

Those interested in supporting the NDS drive can purchase healthy, non-perishable items online through YouGiveGoods at https://yougivegoods.com/ndsmanna2022.

All items donated online now through May 31 will stock NDS’ network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, including five food cupboards operated by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, five soup kitchens and numerous community outreach programs.

Along with its online campaign, NDS is teaming up with archdiocesan parishes to collect supplies.

For more information, contact Denise Hopkins, administrator of the NDS Community Food Program, at 215-895-3470 ext. 77823 or dhopkins@ndsarch.org.