RONCEVERTE- A cornerstone of the Ronceverte community is getting a major upgrade in the near future. Community members broke ground Friday morning, October 2nd, on a new site for the Ronceverte Food Pantry, Inc. “This will be the first permanent residence for our organization,” Sharon Howard, President of Ronceverte Food Pantry told WVDN. “Four years ago, we started planning for a new site,” she added as she gazed at an empty lot, thinking of the future.
“This will finally be a dream come true for the pantry and surrounding community.”
The Pantry’s new location will be at 426 Main Street in Ronceverte. Construction on the new 2,400 square foot, vinyl-sided facility with metal roofing will begin this October 2026. Thus far, the pantry itself and the latest project for its capital improvements have been funded by generous donations from local residents and businesses. Amanda Deskins, Branch Manager for Peoples Bank in Ronceverte, said the bank was happy to allocate funds for improvements to Ronceverte Food Pantry. Since the beginning of the year, Ronceverte Peoples’ Bank has donated over $11,800 to Ronceverte Food Pantry, Inc, as part of a larger initiative by Peoples Bank called “Jeans for Hunger,” in which associates wear jeans and donate a portion of each paycheck to support local-nonprofit organizations that strive to end food shortage.
Howard told WVDN that because of generous donations like these, the new building will be easier for residents to get in and get out of. “This will help the residents of Ronceverte,” Howard added. “The new building will be handicap accessible, which we have not had in the past.”
Upon moving to the new site, which should be happening by this upcoming Spring of 2027, Ronceverte Food Pantry will continue to distribute food on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. There are no income guidelines for residents or families in need. To pick up food, you only need a Ronceverte address.
Ronceverte Food Pantry looks forward to expanding its reach with this new permanent home residence but is still seeking donations from the community and surrounding areas to help with building construction and food distribution expenses. If you would like to donate, you can give a monetary donation to Ronceverte Food Pantry via PayPal or send cash or checks via mail to 213 Billy Hunter Lane, Ronceverte, WV 24970. All donations are tax deductible.
