MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) has been servicing the Greater Philadelphia area for 35 years, and soon, everyone can join the organization to celebrate.
On Thursday, Sept. 25, the nonprofit will celebrate its 35th anniversary with “an evening of elegance, culinary excellence, and community impact.” Held at The Bellevue Hotel’s Grand Belle Ballroom (200 South Broad St.), the event will act as a fundraiser for the namesake, with plenty of fun in store to commemorate.
MANNA was created in 1990, following the impact of the AIDS pandemic. At a time when many were affected and in isolation, members of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia began delivering meals to their neighbors—and that’s when the idea for this charitable institution was born. The organization is known as a leader in evidence-based nutrition services, offering much more than just meal deliveries in previous years: MANNA has also offered hands-on cooking classes and nutrition counseling while bringing together dietitians, chefs, drivers, and thousands of volunteers.
“Thirty-five years ago, at the height of the HIV epidemic, MANNA was established in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia by its founders with a simple goal to deliver meals to their sick and dying neighbors who needed nourishment and compassion,” said Sue Daugherty, CEO of MANNA.
“Today, that vision has grown into a movement proving that food truly is medicine. As we honor MANNA’s past and celebrate our growth, we are inspired to continue to shape the future of the food is medicine movement — paving the way for another 35 years of innovation, compassion, and critical nutrition for all who need it. We’re so grateful to have longstanding partners in Philadelphia’s amazing chef and arts communities, who are helping us carry out this inspiring, entertaining 35th Anniversary Celebration that will bring further awareness to and support for MANNA’s work.”
The evening will be curated by Eli Kulp, co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group, host of ‘The Chef Radio Podcast’ and co-host of ‘Delicious City Podcast’, and Nok Suntaranon, chef and owner of Kalaya, whose Southern Thai cuisine earned her the title of James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2023 and a place on ‘TIME Magazine’s’ 100 Most Influential People list in 2025. Kulp’s High Street and Nok’s Kalaya will put together a family-styled menu for the dinner, and attendees will also be able to indulge in a cocktail reception during the evening.
The event will also feature a variety of desserts and additional culinary stations from Alice, Chef Frankie Ramirez (of Amá), Chef Jesse Amoroso (of Amoroso Baking), Chef Victor Nguyen (of Ba Le Bakery), Chef Tyler Akin (of Bastia), Chef Jenn Carroll (of Carroll Couture Cuisine), Chef Muhammad Abdul-Hadi (of Down North), Chef Justine MacNeil (of Fiore Fine Foods), Chef Lisa Shoenbeck (of Good Good Chocolates), Chefs Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate (of Honeysuckle), Machine Shop, Chef Saif Manna (of Manna Bakery), Chef Jimmy Rubino (of Ralph’s), Chef Christina Martinez (of South Philly Barbacoa), plus, the MANNA and Cescaphe chefs.
Emmy Award-winning NBC10 anchor and reporter Jacqueline London will emcee the evening and host a live auction and a luxury raffle. John Jarboe and The Bearded Ladies Cabaret will also be in attendance for some performances. Plus, as a release notes, there will additionally be various moments intended to honor MANNA’s 35-year legacy of using “Food as Medicine” to improve health outcomes for thousands across the region and beyond.
Information, sponsorships, tables and tickets are available now at mannapa.org/cheers or by contacting Katie Moroney Miller (katie@mannapa.org; 215-496-2662 ext. 134)
