Gap-Filling Programs
Community Food Sharing
The Community Food Sharing Program is Manzanita Outreach’s primary program activity. Through various forms of mobile food distribution, Manzanita Outreach is the fastest growing and one of the largest food assistance providers in the State of Arizona. In 2023, Manzanita Outreach distributed over 2.4 million pounds of fresh and healthy food into our community.
MO Packs for Kids
The MO Packs For Kids Program is Manzanita Outreach’s free food-sharing program for children under 19 years old. Through partnerships with local schools and community groups, Manzanita Outreach coordinates effective fresh and healthy food distribution to our community’s children and working families.
MOHelp Resource Hubs
Alongside out most highly trafficed Food Sharing Events, Manzanita hosts mobile resource fairs, which we call MOHelp Resource Hubs. These hubs connect basic needs providers such as health insurers, addiction invervention and recovery resources, free tax preparers, or mobile health clinics with the thousands of clients that Manzanita serves as part of our food sharing.
MOHelp.org
MOhelp.org is an online community resource to discover where and when basic needs resources are shared throughout Yavapai County. The site in collaboratively managed by Manzanita and Yavapai County Community Health Services. It is a living, interactive, and client-centric database of the most accurate information of all food-assistance in Yavapai County. In 2023, MOhelp.org had over 73,000 page views and over 11,000 unique visitors.
One-To-One Program
In partnership with Verde Valley Caregivers, the University of Arizona Extension, and Yavapai County Community Health Services, Manzanita Outreach is currently piloting a program that provides meal kits, recipies, and nutritional / culinary education to low-income adults over the age of 55.
MO Packs For Teachers
The MO Packs for Teachers Program provides teachers with a box of snacks for their classrooms. A MO Pack for Teachers is a box containing a variety of snack items. Manzanita Outreach is operating this program at nearly 100% of schools in the Verde Valley. This program is sponsored by Fiesta Bowl Charities, among others!
Volunteer Sedona
Designed to bridge the gap between volunteers and local community needs in Sedona and the Verde Valley, VolunteerSedona.com streamlines volunteer opportunities, making it easier for individuals and organizations to contribute to the vibrant and supportive local community.
Home Delivery Program
Using a combination of Manzanita volunteers, a streamlined neighbor-to-neighbor proxy distribution system, and an innovative partnership with DoorDash, thousands of Yavapai County residents receive home deliveries of healthy and fresh foods, right to their doorstep.
Emergency Preparation & Response Program
Due to the infrastructure Manzanita has built over several years, Manzanita participates in various crisis planning and crisis response activities across the county. From being a county-wide recipient of emergency supplies, to housing thousands of wildfire and flood supplies onsite, to providing emergency food and water deliveries to rural communities at the request of Yavapai County Emergency Management, Manzanita continues to support preparedness and response efforts.
Projects & Affiliates
Neighborhood Food Project
Verde Valley Neighborhood Food Project is an innovative, new way to fight hunger in our community. Every two months, on the second Saturday of every even month, our Neighborhood Coordinators pick up bags of healthy nonperishable food that neighbors have left outside their front doors. They leave empty green bags for next time, and take all the food to local Food Banks.
Tewa Holiday Project
The Tewa Holiday Project, now in partnership with Manzanita Outreach, continues its mission of providing essential holiday support to the Tewa Elders at First Mesa. In 2023, the project delivered donations through a drive-through format, distributing over 180 coats for the Coats4Kids program, holiday gifts for children, and thousands of pounds of food, ensuring the Tewa community receives much-needed supplies and holiday cheer.
Crossing Worlds Hopi Project
The Crossing Worlds Hopi Project supports Hopi sustainability and self-empowerment and provides cross-cultural learning opportunities for all peoples. Among various projects conducted to support families, kids health and learning enhancement, cultural activities, Hopi youth field trips, permaculture, and Hopi initiatives, Manzanita Outreach conducts a once-per-month distribution of food and supplies to the Shungopavi village.