ABOUT MANNA MINISTRY

  • Manna provides food and household essentials to individuals and families experiencing a crisis in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. We deliver directly to our neighbors while offering encouragement, prayer, and the hope of Jesus Christ.

  • We serve neighbors in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth who are facing an immediate need for food assistance. Many of the people we help have limited transportation or are waiting to receive longer-term assistance from another organization.

  • No. Manna serves neighbors regardless of their background or beliefs. Our ministry is rooted in the Christian faith, but receiving assistance is never dependent upon participating in prayer or sharing our beliefs.

  • Manna is a faith-based nonprofit organization, not a church. We work alongside churches, businesses, community organizations, and individual supporters throughout the Tidewater area.

RECEIVING ASSISTANCE

  • Call Manna Ministry at 757-609-0709 and leave a message with your name, phone number, address, and a brief description of your situation. A member of our team will contact you to learn more about your household and determine how we may be able to help.

  • You may contact Manna directly. We also receive referrals from churches, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and other community partners

  • Our intake team will speak with you about your household, immediate needs, location, and circumstances. If Manna can assist, we will prepare a delivery and contact you with additional information. Requests are evaluated according to urgency, available resources, and volunteer capacity.

  • Requests are evaluated according to urgency, available resources, and volunteer capacity. We make every effort to respond promptly, but delivery timing cannot be guaranteed.

  • Manna is primarily a delivery-based ministry and is not operated as a walk-in food pantry. Please contact us before coming to the warehouse.

  • Deliveries generally include groceries selected to provide several days of meals. Depending on current inventory, they may also include fresh food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, or other household essentials. Contents vary according to household size and what is available.

  • Please tell our intake team about any allergies or dietary restrictions. We will try to accommodate them whenever possible, but we cannot guarantee that every requested item or substitute will be available.

  • Manna provides short-term assistance rather than ongoing food support. The frequency and length of assistance depend on the household’s circumstances, Manna’s current resources, and other support available in the community.

VOLUNTEERING

  • Volunteers help pray, pack groceries, organize and unload food, collect donations from community partners, and deliver groceries on Saturday mornings. You may serve once, occasionally, or on a regular schedule.

  • Delivery routes take place on Saturdays. Each vehicle has two adult volunteers and generally delivers to two or three households. Most routes take approximately 1½ to 2 hours.

  • Yes. Manna offers group serve days that can be adapted to the size and abilities of your team. Groups may pack food, divide bulk items, unload pallets, write notes of encouragement, or help clean and organize the warehouse.

GIVING AND DONATING

  • You can give online through our donation page or mail a check payable to Manna Ministry of Tidewater. Both one-time and recurring gifts are welcome.

    DONATE HERE

  • Yes. Manna Ministry of Tidewater is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and eligible donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

  • We accept unopened, unexpired, nonperishable food and full-size hygiene or household products. Common needs include canned meat (Tuna and Chicken), canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, laundry detergent, toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and feminine hygiene products. Please do not donate items in glass containers.

    Where can I bring donated items?

    Donations may be brought to:

    Manna Ministry of Tidewater
    216 Business Park Drive, Suite B
    Virginia Beach, VA 23462

    Please contact us before delivering a large donation so that someone is available to receive it.

  • Yes. Churches, businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and community groups can host food or household-supply drives. Contact Manna before beginning so we can provide our most current list of needs.

  • Adopt-a-Shelf allows an individual, family, church, or organization to keep one frequently needed item stocked for an agreed period. Sponsors may purchase and deliver the item or provide funds for Manna to purchase it.

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PARTNERSHIPS AND PRAYER

  • Churches can partner through delivery teams, group serve days, food drives, packing events, prayer, and financial support. We would be glad to learn about your church and help identify the best opportunity to serve together.

  • Yes. Businesses and community organizations can sponsor food, host a drive, provide volunteers, financially support the ministry, or schedule a group serve day.

  • Complete the Prayer Team form to receive periodic prayer requests and ministry updates. Prayer Team members help cover our neighbors, volunteers, drivers, and ministry operations in prayer.

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