Nourishing the Community: Volunteering with MANNA

Harrell Homes
5 days ago
2 min read

At Harrell Assisted Living Homes, we believe that every individual is a Person of Worth with the power to give back. For the week of May 25 – May 31, we are spotlighting a rewarding volunteer opportunity at MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance). This Philadelphia-based organization is a leader in providing medically tailored meals to neighbors battling critical illnesses.

Why Volunteer at MANNA?

Volunteering at MANNA offers a unique way for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism to engage with the Philadelphia community while building vital life skills.

Skill-Building Through Routine: The kitchen and packaging environment at MANNA is ideal for building routine-based skills and focus.
A "Win" for Independence: Tasks like packaging meals provide the "scaffolding" needed for individuals to contribute meaningfully to their community.
Social Connectivity: Working alongside a diverse team of volunteers fosters a sense of belonging and helps develop social cues in a structured setting.

Acceptance in Action

At Harrell Homes, we understand that true inclusion means adjusting the environment so our clients can flourish. Through our Community Participation Support (CPS) services, we help bridge the gap between home and volunteer sites like MANNA.

Vigilant Observation: Our trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide oversight to ensure the sensory environment is manageable and productive.
Safe Transportation: We provide specialized transit to ensure our residents can attend their volunteer shifts safely and on time.
Presuming Competence: We start by assuming that every person has the capacity to learn and contribute, regardless of their support level.

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in joining the mission to nourish our neighbors, MANNA offers various shifts throughout the week.

Activity: Nutrition Support—Packaging medically tailored meals for homebound individuals.
Dates: Ongoing (Monday–Friday).
Location: Philadelphia, PA.
Website: Volunteer at MANNA.