The MANNA Model

MANNA delivers 21 delicious, wholesome meals each week, personally tailored to each client’s medical needs, to help nourish our clients through the debilitating effects of their illness.

MANNA offers both individual and group nutrition counseling that is designed to educate and empower our clients and others to make the best food choices. All MANNA registered dietitians are licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and are members of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

MANNA serves people who are at acute nutritional risk due to serious illness. We believe that food is medicine, and that nutrition will play a key role in their recovery.

Some examples of serious illness experienced by current MANNA clients include: cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, renal failure, and diabetes. This is not an exhaustive list of diseases that may qualify a potential client, nor do these diseases automatically qualify an individual for MANNA services.

MANNA’s eligibility requirements are purely based in medical and nutritional indicators, we have no age or income restrictions. We also serve dependent children under the age of 18 who have a parent receiving MANNA meals as well as some senior dependents of our clients.

How Can MANNA Help?

Provide Meals for You or a Loved One

Provide Education and/or Nutrition Counsel

Hear from our Clients

Annette

Annette, 58, found MANNA when her case manager heard that she was having trouble moving around her house and had collapsed three times even with the help of a walker. She was dealing with a difficult combination of Grave’s disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, which had led to major weight fluctuation, vision loss, and bad muscle and join pain. “MANNA meals definitely helped me to manage myself better. I was now eating in moderation, and eating healthy.” With the help of MANNA meals and nutrition counseling, Annette was able to get her major weight fluctuations under control, learning lessons about how to eat that she was able to apply to her own cooking even after she was no longer receiving weekly meals. “When you’re trying to eat healthy you have to really educate yourself, there are so many types of fast food I can now cook myself with fresh ingredients and lower sugar. It helps me so much in the long run.”

Louis

Louis, 49, was referred to MANNA’s meal program in 2022 by his insurance, Health Partners, to help manage his diabetes. Shortly after receiving MANNA meals, he pursued surgery for weight loss and remained on the program to continue working on his eating habits and ultimately to recover from the surgery.

“I had quite a problem with my weight and nutrition. The MANNA meals were a big help in that it provided a good source of nutrition for myself. It helped me learn how to …incorporate a better way of eating and to have a better lifestyle.”

Since Louis is on the program through his insurance, Health Partners continues to re-refer him because he enjoys the meals and continues to find them helpful for managing his health. When asked about his favorite MANNA meal, Louis responded, “I have three. I love the turkey chili and beans. I love the turkey taco with the vegetables, and I really love the chicken with the mixed vegetables and sometimes it comes with greens. It’s really, really delicious!”

Louis reported that having access to MANNA meals has enriched his life. “Before [MANNA meals] I was kind of living a toxic lifestyle. I wasn’t eating the way I should have. I was eating a lot of processed foods and I just wasn’t feeling right. When I started eating MANNA meals, my whole way of living started to change. My whole thought process towards food and towards life gradually started to change.”

As Louis continues on his health journey, he is grateful to every person at MANNA who helps make and deliver his meals. “I’m very thankful that every week I get to have a good meal on the table, and I’m thankful for [all of you]. I appreciate everything that you provide for me.”