Genesis Healthcare, Manna House host Food/Medical Resource event
Genesis Healthcare Inc. and Manna House staff and volunteers stand for a picture during their busy morning at their recent Food/Medical Resource event. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
On Saturday morning, June 6, the parking lot at Manna House on Jarrott Street contained a steady flow of neighbors, families, and individuals in need — drawn by something simple yet powerful: the promise of fresh food and minimal-cost healthcare, offered together, with no strings attached.
On June 6, Genesis Healthcare Inc., Manna House, and MAP (Medical Access Program) joined forces for a community outreach event at Manna House, 450 Jarrott Street in Florence, delivering a combination of health screenings and nutritious food distributions to area residents at virtually no cost.
For many in the Pee Dee region, access to fresh groceries and preventive medical care remains out of reach — separated by distance, cost, or other circumstances. Saturday’s event was designed to help close that gap.
Attendees received fresh green beans, cranberries, bread, milk, and a variety of other healthy food items — staples that make a meaningful difference for food-insecure families. Alongside the grocery distributions, on-site medical teams provided blood pressure and diabetic screenings, along with a range of other preventive health services. Health literature and educational materials were also distributed, empowering community members with information to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
“These events are about meeting people where they are,” said Howard Nettles, Genesis Healthcare’s Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, “When you remove barriers — whether it’s cost, transportation, or time — you open the door for people to actually take care of themselves.”
The collaboration between Genesis Healthcare and Manna House is not a one-time gesture. The two organizations have built a consistent, trust-based partnership focused on fighting food insecurity and bridging healthcare gaps across Florence and the broader Pee Dee region.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Genesis Healthcare brings clinical expertise, case management, and access to medical resources directly into the community — addressing not just illness, but the social determinants of health that contribute to it. Manna House, long regarded as a cornerstone of nourishment in Florence, supplies the logistical infrastructure and community relationships needed to reach those most vulnerable.
Together, their joint events have become a model for what community-based healthcare and food security can look like when organizations combine their strengths.
Beyond the tangible distributions, these events provide something equally valuable: connection. Trained health educators and case managers are on-site to help individuals navigate insurance options, social services, and follow-up care — ensuring that a single Saturday morning can serve as a gateway to ongoing community support.
Genesis Healthcare also provides regular financial assistance and grant funding to bolster Manna House’s operations — especially during high-demand periods like holiday distributions or when policy changes to SNAP benefits create sudden increased needs in the community.
With events like this recurring throughout the year, Genesis Healthcare, Manna House, and MAP are sending a clear message to local residents: help is here, and it’s accessible.
For more information about upcoming community outreach events or to learn about services offered by Genesis Healthcare, visit their offices or contact the organization directly via their website at https://genesisfqhc.org/. You may also contact them by phone at 843-393-7452 or (843) 393-9421.