We are a Bracebridge-based food bank serving the residents of Muskoka. This site was created to to help you — whether you are a client, donor, volunteer, or member of the media and the wider community — stay informed and up-to-date on what’s happening here at Manna. Be sure to check out our Latest News, below and on the right. You can also find the Manna Food Bank on Facebook.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Thanks for visiting.
NEWS
2016 Muskoka Oldtimers Fall Food Drive for Manna
September 12, 2016 – The Muskoka Oldtimers Hockey Club is gearing up for its 2016 Fall Food Drive for Manna, taking place on Tuesday October 4th. They are asking Bracebridge residents to set non-perishable food donations outside front door by 5:30 that evening to be collected in a door-to-door sweep by volunteers. This annual event is Manna’s most important food-raiser of the year and has been taking place for almost as long as the Oldtimers and Manna have been around. (more…)
RBC continues strong “Foundation”
August 30, 2016 — The RBC Foundation continues its legacy of community building by making contributions to those who live there. Here, Manna President Sam Robinson (centre) receives a $1,000 cheque from Kelly Holmes (left) RBC Financial Advisor, and Debbie Davison Eden (right) RBC Bracebridge Branch Manager. These folks clearly understand the value of community!
All Roads Lead to Manna!
Beginning August 29th, the Town of Bracebridge will be initiating its transit system “Riding the Wave”. This 20+ kilometre route through town will allow easier access to Manna as one part of the route stops at Wellington and Ecclestone, a short walk from Manna. Great for our clients, and great for Bracebridge!
Check it out at www.BracebridgeTransit.ca
Goodness is Growing for the Food Bank!
You may have noticed garden plots outside Gagnon’s Independent Grocer, but did you know that the Horticultural Society and Monck Grade 5 each have a garden there, and the produce is dedicated to Manna?
We have already received generous portions of fresh veggies from them at Manna and it was well received by our clients.
Many thanks to all for the time and effort spent to ensure others have healthy variety in their food!
Remember no Food Bank on Friday, July 1- Canada Day!
Now this is a BIG Garage Sale!
Aspire Muskoka is offering us all a win-win Garage sale! Come on out to Premium 
Storage on June 18th from 8:00am-12:00 noon for some of Muskoka’s finest Garage Sale items, raffles, and lots of fun! Entry fee will be by donation of a perishable food item for the food bank. Proceeds will go to Rotary Club and Manna Food Bank. (Click on the photo for a larger view)
Partnering for People
As part of June 2nd Hunger Awareness Day, Bracebridge’s Agilec (formerly Northern Lights) decided to engage their staff in a Food Challenge Cook off. Agilec works to provide tools and services to help achieve employment. Each staff member prepared a course for lunch based upon items found on the Manna 
‘shopping list’. In addition, they had to include a secret ingredient- chickpeas. The competition was fierce, and the results delicious as a Manna Board member got to judge the results. Discussion over the food centred on how Manna and Agilec could work more closely together to assist many of the same clientele. In addition, a donation of food and money was made to Manna by this industrious staff. Indeed, this is one partnership that ‘really cooks’!
It seems Giving is ‘Basic’
The Bracebridge Food Basics held their pre-opening celebration on the evening of April 20th, and Manna received a $1,000.00 donation from the organization- a clear sign that we live within a truly caring business community. Not only that, but we received proof that caring starts at a very young age. Four year old Mairyn MacKenzie won a large gift basket of food items for babies in a draw, and she decided she wanted to donate her prize to Manna. 
Mairyn is shown with her Dad, Glenn, presenting to our volunteer, Sam. The future is in good hands with companies and youngsters like this already reaching out to help.
SNAP Fitness has taken steps to support both Manna and the WWF.
Matt Gilroy, Paul Kane, Matt Lawrence, Marty Scarlett and Derek Simpson (not pictured Mike Allder).They all successfully completed the CN Tower climb and are looking forward to next year’s event. In addition to the over 100 kilos of food raised for Manna, the World Wildlife Fund received a donation of just under $2,000.00. Way to go guys!
More than MAC and Cheese!
April 13, 2016- During Lent, the 40-50 students in the Social Justice group at Monsignor Michael O’Leary School felt that it was important to make food donations to Manna Food Bank. Their project is titled MAC– not 
the KD kind, but rather, Make A Change. Under the auspices of teacher Michelle Scarlett, the students managed to accumulate over 600 food items since just before Easter, and we thank them all for their efforts, commitment, and dedication to community.
Manna launches its Easter Envelope Campaign
Check your Bracebridge Examiner on March 24 for an envelope from Manna. Read more…
Manna is moving! (But not very far)
March 14, 2016 — As of Tuesday March 29, the Manna Food Bank will be relocating, though only slightly.
The new location is in the same building —345 Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge. We’ll be on the same side of the same building, but just down the way in Unit #12. Follow the signs. Please pass this information along to anyone who may be interested in knowing. Thank you!
He shoots, We all score!
March 9, 2016 — Everybody got into the play when hockey player Parker McAdams decided that he wanted to help out in the community. Enlisting the support of his hockey team, his class, and his Mom’s office staff, Parker collected this ‘net filling’ take which he brought to the Food Bank. Many thanks, Parker, you’re an All Star in our books! More...
Local Breweries Make Hullabaloo for Manna!
March 4, 2016 — Muskoka Brewery, Boshkung Brewing, Sawdust City and Haliburton Highlands partnered to host Hullabaloo, a wonderful distraction from winter featuring fine local beers and delicious foods. Donations were directed to Manna Food Bank on each pint sale. Here is Danielle Porter from Muskoka Brewery presenting Manna volunteer Sam with the proceeds. This was a very successful event and Manna is delighted the breweries thought of Manna. Your support is much appreciated. More…
That’s a lotta Pasta!
March 1, 2016 — The students at BMLSS outdid themselves at this year’s Pasta Challenge. Here is organizer Shannon Boolsen-Vorster and Manna’s Sam Robinson with a mini-mountain of donations. Thanks also to the students’ rivals at Huntsville High, who also got in the game for good. Great work, everyone! More…
President’s Year-end Message – Manna AGM
How do you define success at a food bank? Manna president Wendee Cameron rounded out a successful year at Manna at the AGM on Monday December 15 at 9:30 am at the Bracebridge United Church. Unfortunately, Manna is still greatly needed. Fortunately, the community continues to strongly support Manna and its clients. More…
To our Clients and Volunteers
The Manna Food Bank is open most Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Our closing dates for 2016 are Friday, March 25 (Good Friday) and Friday July 1 (Canada Day).
