The Anthony Correctional Center in Neola recently donated 3,278 pounds of fresh produce to Mountaineer Food Bank as part of the Harvest Now program. Harvest Now is a program that allows correctional facilities around the state to grow gardens and donate the produce to local feeding programs. The program has been in effect for the past three years, with facilities in St. Mary’s, Huttonsville, Prunytown, Denmar and Beckley participating. “This is a great program that helps a lot of people in West Virginia,” said Chad Morrison, executive director of Mountaineer Food Bank. “It’s a great opportunity for inmates to give back to their local communities and engage themselves in a positive activity.” The produce was distributed locally to the White Sulphur Springs Community Food Pantry. Mountaineer Food Bank receives food from a variety of sources including national food manufacturers, local growers and processors, food drives, WVDA and retail stores. Those donations are then distributed to feeding programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and backpack programs in a 48 county service area.
