“My food stamp allotment has been cut,” “I got sick and lost my job,” “I never had to ask for assistance from a food pantry.” These are some of the pleas local food pantries are hearing as Greenbrier County folks come in for food assistance. In the last few months local food pantries have experienced a significant increase in the number individuals, families, and bags of food distributed. The decrease in SNAP benefits after the COVID emergency funds were halted and the increase generally in the costs of food are often cited as the reasons for needing food assistance. Also, many families live on very tight budgets and one crisis can easily upset that budget.
Local Food Pantries receive food – some free and some purchased – from the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway, WV. All the pantries must purchase additional food to supplement their distributions. The local pantries welcome and are in need of both financial and food donations. Please consider making a donation to assist our neighbors in need.
Food Pantries in Greenbrier County are located in Alderson, Lewisburg, Quinwood, Rainelle, Renick, Ronceverte, White Sulphur Springs and Williamsburg. Additional feeding programs in Greenbrier County include Wellspring of Greenbrier, the Greenbrier County Committee on Aging and the Shepherd’s Center.
If you need food assistance or wish to make a donation to your local food pantry, please call United Way at 211 for details about dates, times and contacts for the food pantry in your area. “First we eat, then we do everything else.”