Take 5 to Give $5: Huntsville food distribution center helps families

Take 5 to Give $5: Huntsville food distribution center helps families during coronavirus pandemic

A food distribution program in huntsville needs help providing for families going through a tough time because of the coronavirus.

Waay 31's marie waxel explains how the manna house is just one of dozens of non-profits in north alabama receiving funding from the "community foundation of greater huntsville" to help with these expenses.

Oglesby-i'm a country person and i love my vegetables.

Almost a decade ago, irene oglesby started volunteering at manna house, bringing fresh vegetables from her garden for the hundreds of families in line needing food.

Now, after suffering a back injury, the 98-year-old is in line picking up groceries for herself.

Oglesby-that means a whole lot to me because i'm old now and not working.

Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the manna house is keeping it's doors open to those in need, providing free food boxes full of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Director fran fluhler is noticing more people are needing help after being laid off during the pandemic.

Fluhler -- lot of people in the hospitality industry, people who worked in dentist offices that are closed, other people in other locations, the factory closed because someone tested positive and they're just not making it.

Fluhler applied for the community foundation of greater huntsville's emergency relief fund to continue providing food to new clients and those like john anderson who need the help on a regular basis.

Anderson-the manna house is a blessing for a lot of people in the neighborhood.

Clients like anderson and oglesby are relying on those blessings to continue so they don't have to worry about where their next meal will come from.

Anderson-i hope they keep the manna house going in this time of need and even when we don't need it.

I just thank god and i say a prayer for it.

In huntsville, marie waxel, waay 31 news.

You can support manna house through the take 5 to give 5 campaign.

The money will support nonprofits in the greater huntsville area that are serving on the frontline of the coronavirus response.

It all leads up to giving tuesday - which falls on 5/5, may 5th this year!

If you want to get involved - it's easy to do.

First - head to waay t-v dot com.

On our homepage - you'll see an article with the "take 5 to give 5" logo you see on your screen.

Once you open that - it has a link to donate any amount.

Together - we've already raised more than 278- thousand dollars!

100-percent of that money will go to local organizations.

Here's a list of our newest corporate donors.

Overall there have been 213 total donors.

173 of them have contributed in the past