SOPHIA, WV (WOAY) – The Raleigh County United for Prevention Food Pantry is typically funded by federal or state grants that were recently cut.
It’s tough for its volunteers to manage that on their own. The organization is calling on the community to lend a hand. Every little bit helps.
They requested the community host a food drive or share its Amazon, Walmart (MacArthur), and PayPal links from its Facebook page, and people really stepped up.
“It’s open every week on Wednesdays from 10 to 3 p.m. People can come in and get food or access any of the other pantries,” said Executive Director Kellie Gunnoe, adding that a group of people spend time at the center and connect.
“That’s exactly what the center was designed to do,” Gunnoe said. “And we serve anywhere from 20 to 30 families per week.”
They get people from Coal City and Lester.
“This rural part of Raleigh County is served by this food pantry,” said the executive director. “So it’s an important resource, and we’re just looking for some support as we navigate new funding challenges.”
The center tries to replenish healthier, sustainable foods, and those that kids will eat.
“What’s for breakfast, or what’s for lunch that’s in your food kit? We try to provide all the ingredients that go with that,” Gunnoe said. “Or if it’s a complicated recipe, we’ll kind of provide that recipe for them.”
Having the center’s support is important to so many.
“It’s a way for us to lift a burden off of families, but also meet their basic human needs,” said Gunnoe.
