CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) continues support of the Governor’s initiative to enhance food access in West Virginia due to a lapse in federal SNAP benefit funding through collaboration with Facing Hunger and Mountaineer Food Banks.
Since operations began on Oct. 30, 2025, the WVNG has delivered over 900,000 pounds of food to fellow West Virginians across 45 counties.
At Governor Patrick Morrisey’s direction, Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward activated approximately 235 service members to support Facing Hunger Food Bank, Mountaineer Food Bank, and local pantries beginning Oct. 30, 2025.
From start of mission the WVNG has driven over 14,000 miles and worked more than 2,200 hours, with over 1,300 hours between the two food banks and over 1,000 worked staffing 40 food pantries.
The WVNG is scheduled to assist two mobile pantries Thursday, November 13, while other scheduled operations include movement of supplies as requested by Facing Hunger and Mountaineer Food Banks, and providing personnel for additional assistance at multiple pantries throughout the state.
“Our service members represent every part of West Virginia,” said Maj. Gen. Seward. “They are serving their neighbors, their friends, and their families.”
Another part of the mission is ensuring Governor Morrisey’s emergency funding reaches communities in need.
U.S. Airmen with the West Virginia National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing delivered over 60 assistance checks to food pantries across the state as part of Governor Morrisey’s action to ensure West Virginia food banks and food pantries are stocked.
“Our Airmen are hand-delivering checks to food pantries that couldn’t accept electronic transfers,” said Maj. Gen. Seward during a visit to Facing Hunger Food Bank. The deliveries started Nov. 1 – 3, 2025; as the need arises, the WVNG is prepared to deliver checks to the pantries authorized.
Last week, Governor Morrisey emphasized the need for emergency funding to go to communities as a way to inject money into local grocery and general stores that may feel an impact from delay of SNAP funding and federal food assistance program dollars.
These checks were part of the $5 million in funding announced October 29, 2025 by Governor Morrisey during a press conference.
West Virginia has now sent a total of $13.1 million to provide emergency food assistance for those affected by the federal government shutdown.
Resources
For food distribution locations and times according to Zip Codes:
Call 211,Text the Zip Code to 898-211 or visit wv211.org
- Every call and text will be answered with an automated response. Anyone leaving a message will be called back by 211.
Contact county Family Resource Network (FRN) for community-based support and updated food distribution lists.
