GASSAWAY, WV (WVDN) — Mountaineer Food Bank, West Virginia’s largest hunger-relief organization and member of Feeding America, hosted a ceremonial “Setting the Beam” event at its Gassaway Warehouse, celebrating a major milestone in its Capital Campaign and the construction of an expansion of the Gassaway facility designed to meet growing needs across West Virginia.
The event, which brought together community members, donors, local leaders, and Mountaineer Food Bank staff, included the signing of the final structural beam before it was lifted into place representing a powerful symbol of the unity and resilience behind the organization’s mission. The ceremony underscored the transformative impact this new facility will have in the fight against hunger throughout the state.
“This expansion reflects the dedication of every donor, volunteer, and partner who believes that no one should go to bed hungry,” said Chad Morrison, CEO of Mountaineer Food Bank. “It’s an investment in our ability to reach more families, respond to crises, and build a stronger, more food-secure West Virginia.”
The expansion project will nearly double the current warehouse’s capacity, allowing Mountaineer Food Bank to store more fresh and shelf-stable food, expand its mobile pantry program, and provide improved logistics to rural communities that often lack consistent access to nutritious food.
Mountaineer Food Bank distributes more than 19 million meals annually to children, seniors, veterans, and working families in 48 of the state’s 55 counties. With food insecurity rates among the highest in the nation and rising demand driven by inflation and economic hardship, Mountaineer Food Bank’s services are more critical than ever.
