Earlier this week, organizers with Penny Pitch announced that unfortunately the 501c3 will be dissolved. Penny Pitch has provided relief for numerous families during the holiday season and beyond since 1967. Every year this community-wide effort has provided food and Christmas gifts for children, and over the past decade, Penny Pitch has been able to help many of those families with utility payments.
“Things in our community have changed, and there are many other efforts raising funds to do this work at Christmastime,” states their notice. “Additionally, Penny Pitch has always been supported by local service clubs, and those groups are seeing declines in membership. For the past two years, we have not met our fundraising goals and have struggled to meet the needs of the people who apply for help. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue Penny Pitch and dissolve our 501(c)(3). We are deeply grateful for all of the donations, all of the support from civic organizations, and all of our volunteers and partners. We had a great run, we did a lot of good, and we made a difference. Now we hope that everyone who helped us will support the other worthy efforts to make a better Christmas for our local children and families and for the efforts to ease the area’s food insecurities. Thank you for 58 years of ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors.’”
Any remaining funds will be divided between the local food banks, of which Penny Pitch was a hearty supporter of. Penny Pitch organizers encourage donations this holiday season to any of the food banks in our area.
Local food bank information is as follows:
- In Alderson, food is distributed on the third Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Brian DeRouen at 304-445-5231 or Anthony Carter at 304-661-0670.
- In Lewisburg, food is distributed at Old Stone Church (644 Church Street) on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. For assistance, contact Bill Martin at 304-647-0069 or Gloria Martin at 304-645-7842.
- In Quinwood, food is distributed on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact Eric White at 304-992-6058 for more details.
- In Rainelle, distribution takes place at First Baptist Church (345 7th Street) on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. Contact Ann Thomas at 304-438-5104.
- In Renick, food is distributed at the Church of God Lane (27420 Seneca Trail) on the third Saturday of each month from 8 to 9 a.m. Contact Debbie Betsell at 304-956-0190.
- In Ronceverte, food is distributed at 434 Monroe Avenue on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Contact Molly McDade at 304-647-8646.
- In Rupert, Wellspring of Greenbrier distributes food every other Wednesday (typically the second and fourth) at 524 Nicholas Street. A free hot meal is also served on Thursdays from 12 to 2 p.m. For more information, call 304-392-2095.
- In White Sulphur Springs, the Methodist Church (136 Hanna Lane) holds distributions on the first Monday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on the third Monday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Contact Louise or Wayne Feury at 304-536-1353.
- The Pentecostal Holiness Church (190 Ingleside Avenue, White Sulphur) also distributes food on the second Saturday of each month starting at 9 a.m. until supplies run out. Contact Gene Sizemore at 304-647-8804.
- In Williamsburg, food is distributed on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. at 6571 Shoestring Trail. Contact Tina Noe at 304-392-5537.
- Additional feeding programs include Meals on Wheels, available Monday through Friday, and senior nutrition sites in Rupert and Fairlea, also operating Monday through Friday. These are managed by the Greenbrier County Committee on Aging, which can be reached at 304-392-5138 or 304-645-1978.
- The Shepherd’s Center also provides weekly meal deliveries to seniors and can be contacted at 304-645-4196.
