Manna Food Center is feeding nearly twice as many families as it did a year ago, and on Saturday, college baseball players from across Montgomery County pitched in to help restock its shelves.

Players from the Bethesda Big Train, Gaithersburg Giants, Olney Cropdusters and Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts collected 1,857 pounds of food at Giant Food stores countywide during the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League's annual Feed the Hungry Food Drive.

The haul matters. Manna now serves more than 11,000 families each month, up from roughly 6,600 during the same period last year, according to the organization. Manna attributes the surge to rising living costs, persistent inflation and changes to federal nutrition programs, including SNAP.

Craig Rice, CEO of Manna Food Center, said the drive shows what neighbors can accomplish together.

"We thank all of the players and volunteers, and everyone who stopped by participating Giant stores and donated a few items, helping turn small acts of generosity into meals and hope for our neighbors," Rice said Saturday.

A 16-year tradition

The league's Montgomery County teams have partnered with Manna every summer since 2010. Over those 16 years, players, coaches, staff, and interns have collected more than 33 tons of food for families facing food insecurity.

How to help

Residents who want to support Manna Food Center can volunteer for warehouse sorting, food transport, or distribution-site shifts. Information is available at mannafood.org/how-to-help/volunteer or by calling 301-424-1130.

Manna's next major fundraising event, Heroes Against Hunger, is scheduled for Thursday, September 24.