OCTOBER/NOVEMBER CIRCUIT PUBLISHED BY THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | Volume 3 / Number 3
By Laura Allen A year ago, the Lewis County Food Pantry was weeks from closing. But God had other plans. For several years the congregation of St. Matthew Church in Weston, West Virginia prayed, studied, and visited food banks, considering how they could minister to the hungry in Lewis County. Rather than compete with other churches and agencies that received donations from the Mountaineer Food Bank, the church decided to partner with the Lewis County Food Pantry. “Our outlook has completely shifted,” said Charlene Sprouse, who directs the pantry and also manages the county’s Family Resource Network. “And we have St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church to thank for it.” St. Matthew’s congregation has faithfully provided funds to the food pantry, and last month, 200 families - more than 500 people - were able to get food in Lewis County. “Without the support of the church, it is likely we wouldn’t be open today, and those 200 families would not have been served,” said Sprouse. Because they have managed to stay open and serve the community, the pantry was able to take advantage
of West Virginia Harvest Now, a sustainable fresh produce effort in which correctional center inmates plant and harvest vegetables to feed the hungry in West Virginia. This summer, 12 bushels of green beans were produced by the inmates at Pruntytown Correctional Center, and distributed to food pantry clients. Other projects have begun as a result of the partnership between St. Matthew, the Family Resource Network (FRN) and the Lewis County Food Pantry. In July, kid-friendly food items, such as peanut butter, non-perishable milk, granola and cereal were given to children who live in isolated areas of the county. This provided kids with supplies to make simple, nutritious meals. The items were collected by Lewis County First. “This kind of cooperation shows how people, agencies, and churches are pulling together,” said Dean Bennett, who serves as the communications coordinator for the Wesleyan District. Future plans include a diaper bank, which if funded, would be the first in West Virginia. The Food Bank continues to work on a self-sustainability plan to ensure viability. Call for details: 304-269-4000.