In the spirit of friendly competition, Manna on Main Street kicked off its annual fundraising campaign, the Florence Nightingale Challenge, in May.
This challenge benefiting Manna, a food pantry and soup kitchen on Main Street in Lansdale, runs through April 2014 when its champions are revealed.
More than 35 local businesses have signed up to campaign and fundraise for Manna over the upcoming year. Your business or organization can still join in the cause. Visit www.mannaonmain.org or contact Kristyn DiDominick at kristyn@mannaonmain.org for more information and to see the dates of current planned events.

Here’s what current participants are saying about the cause:

“We are excited to be part of the Florence Nightingale Challenge to assist such a worthy organization as Manna on Main Street.  Their philosophy of helping those in need in the community aligns with the credit union’s mission of ‘People Helping People.’  I ask our local businesses to join us in supporting their challenge of providing for those less fortunate than us.”
- David Whitehead, CEO, Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union

“I like to give back to the community by doing benefit concerts with my students to raise money for organizations in need or places that have experienced a catastrophic event.  It’s also a good example of community service to my students and audience.”
- Marie Hagner, High Note Vocals

“Villari’s Self Defense Centers & Manna on Main Street: Together, we’re going to KICK hunger!”
-Harry Pfister, Villari’s Self Defense Center

“CamaPlan is thrilled to be participating in the Challenge and helping Manna. Carl Fischer, our company Principal, states that “Manna does great things for our community. It is incredibly rewarding to support an organization that provides aid in your own backyard. You can measure the difference they are making. We have helped Manna in various ways over the past two years, but this is our first Challenge. We wanted to make it super easy for people to help. A click on our Facebook page is all it takes – and it’s going on all summer. We look forward to great results.”
- www.facebook.com/CamaPlan

“We are very excited about being part of the Nightingale challenge.  Working in the past as registered nurses, this seemed like the perfect fit for Center Point Pond’s pond tour that raises funds for local charities. We are excited to be able to assist Manna on Main Street in helping our neighbors in need.”
- Pam Bateman, Center Point Pond

“I am happy to support Manna’s mission because they provide essential services to folks in need in our community. Being a Mannaiac allows me to be a part of the effort even though I don’t have the time or resources to be effective on my own. Thanks for the opportunity.”
-Ron Snyder, Saxbys Coffee Lansdale

“Our students do several charity events every year because giving and helping others is a big part of our training to ‘make a more peaceful world.’ Our students learn that giving to others without expecting anything in return is part of being a good citizen and it creates great moral fiber in all of us. Manna is a fine local group who really make a difference in our communities and we are happy to be a part of it. We signed up for the Challenge hoping others will jump on the band wagon, hoping it will inspire others to do the same.  Our goal is to make a positive effect on others every chance we can.”
- Mark Cashatt, Mark Cashatt’s TaeKwon-Do School, Inc.

“The Lansdale Business Center has often been termed an “incubator.” And although many businesses come to us already established, our commitment is to assist those who need to get a chance to get started and/or “regroup,” often with limited resources. The challenge issued by Manna is in keeping with helping those who, for whatever reason, desire to be heard and offered a reprieve that replaces fear with support and success.
Manna’s challenge is being embraced simultaneously by the Lansdale Business Center in cooperation with Montgomery United Soccer Club and North Penn Under Ten! On June 12, 2013, we will make the Front Lawn available for a family-friendly Business Mixer and Kids’ Night.  Guests will be asked to come for refreshments and activities and bring their generosity in the form of a donation to Manna.  We have high hopes for this event as well as all of the other life changing opportunities Manna provides that make a difference to so many in our community.  Please attend the event for Manna on June 12th, for all that it can mean in sharing and growing Lansdale’s prosperity!”
- Ellen Foulke, The Lansdale Business Center