The Steven Korman Nutrition Center
MANNA's dedication and grand re-opening of The Steven Korman Nurtition Center on June 9, 2008. Featuring MANNA client, Michelle Mannino, MANNA Advisory Board Chair Steven Korman, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and MANNA CEO Richard Keaveney
MANNA, a non-profit organization that provides essential nourishment and specialized services to those who are at acute nutritional risk due to a life-threatening illness, today opened the doors to their renovated headquarters. The facility, located at 2323 Ranstead Street in Philadelphia, features an expanded kitchen that allows MANNA to double current production to nearly one million meals annually as well as additional administrative offices.
Prior to the renovation MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) had the capacity to serve 850 clients throughout the nine counties of the Delaware Valley and produce approximately 10,000 meals a week and 480,000 annually. The expanded kitchen now enables MANNA to produce three meals a day, seven days a week totaling more than 15,000 meals per week, and more than 720,000 annually -- nearly doubling production. The expansion also gives MANNA the ability to raise its current client base from 850 to 1,500 clients throughout the Delaware Valley as additional funds are raised.
The newly renovated facility has been named The Steven Korman Nutrition Center in recognition of Steve Korman's continued dedication and support to MANNA's mission. In 2004 Korman, Chair of the MANNA Advisory Board, along with his sister, Lynne Honickman, was presented with MANNA's Outstanding Community Lifetime Achievement award.
"MANNA holds a special place in my heart. Many years ago I learned first hand the need for proper nutrition during an illness," said Steven Korman. "Those of us who are fortunate in life have a great opportunity to help sick people during their most needy times."
"All of this is possible because of the continued commitment of the MANNA staff and volunteers and of course, the generous support of Steven Korman," said Richard Keaveney, Chief Executive Officer of MANNA. "Over the past 19 years we have established a solid foundation for providing nourishment and services to families throughout the Delaware Valley and this expansion will help take us to the next level."
The new kitchen features additional braisers, kettles, mixers and ovens as well as many other sanitation and food safety improvements. The renovation also includes new energy-efficient freezer and refrigeration units that triple current capacity and the addition of a produce store room makes it possible for MANNA to buy in larger quantity, helping to reduce cost. The improvements also bring additions to the menu including MANNA muffins, a nutrient-dense muffin to be served with breakfast, yogurt parfaits, smoothies and homemade soups.
"The healthy items made fresh in our kitchens -- such as the MANNA muffin -- are replacing commercially produced supplements," said Cyndi Dinger, RD, LDN, Director of Nutrition Services for MANNA. "To help our clients prepare for eating well once they no longer need MANNA's services, our nutritionists provide them with the knowledge and the tools to make healthy choices on their own, including recipes and food plans."
Keith Lucas, Executive Chef of MANNA, said the renovated kitchen will allow him, his staff and volunteer team to create a more balanced menu with greater variety. "It's very gratifying to me personally as well as MANNA's staff and volunteers to provide nourishment to the men, women and children in the region living with life-threatening illnesses. Our new kitchen gives us the ability to embrace even more individuals as well as the opportunity to expand our menu offerings."
Now in its nineteenth year of service, MANNA offers home-delivered, medically appropriate meals to help boost the body's ability to fight serious illnesses, provides education and counseling to help clients make intelligent nutrition choices, and offers compassionate human contact that links consumers in need with caring community volunteers from all walks of life. Together, these services help people with life-threatening illness maintain their independence and live longer, healthier lives.
For more information about MANNA visit www.mannapa.org or call 215-496-2662.
About MANNA
MANNA delivers care and hope by nourishing people at acute nutritional risk due to a life-threatening illness in the Delaware Valley. A small professional staff and more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers bring over 40,000 nutritious home-delivered meals each month to individuals and families living a life-threatening illness. MANNA dietitians promote wellness through nutrition education and counseling. Through these services, MANNA provides opportunities for caring people to extend loving support to families, friends, and neighbors.