West Virginia Daily News distributes donations to area food pantries

Thanks to the tremendous support of our community, the West Virginia Daily News’ Food Drive has been a rousing success! Thanks to all of you, we gathered over 1,000 canned food items during the month of November.

We are pleased to report that all donated items were delivered to area food banks on Friday, Dec. 2.

Our first stop on Friday was the Lewisburg-Fairlea Food Locker at Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, where we were greeted by volunteers Bill and Gloria Martin. The food locker distributes on the third Saturday of each month.

Gloria Martin stated they have volunteers from the church who also deliver food to individuals and families as well. In November they distributed 265 bags to 163 families. In 2022 they have provided 2,613 bags of food to 1,774 families. Anyone wishing to make a food donation may call 304-645-7842. If you would like to make a
monetary donation you can mail it to Lewisburg Fairlea Food Locker 644 Church St., Lewisburg, WV 24901.

Another food pantry that received the donated canned food items was The White Sulphur Springs Pentecostal Food Bank. Pastor Gene Sizemore, along with Bobby and Tanya Singleton, were eager to help us offload all the canned food items. Their food bank distribution is the second Saturday, monthly at 9 a.m.; however, this month’s food distribution will be held on Dec. 17 rather than the 10th due to Christmas.

They do a drive-through food distribution. Bobby Singleton stated they do the food giveaway once a month, but they help families throughout the month as needed. They service about 150 families a month. They are located on Ingleside Avenue in White Sulphur Springs. If you would like to make a donation, please, call Bobby Singleton at 434-665-1974.

We also dropped off donated, canned food items at the Ronceverte Food Pantry. Their distribution takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the back entrance of the Clifford Community Center from 8-10 a.m. They serve over 100 families a month. I spoke with Sharon Howard representing the food pantry.

“We are in need of a new location,” said Howard.

The current location has no heat which makes it very challenging for the volunteers. If you know of a location in Ronceverte, they are in desperate need. They are able to pay a minimal amount. Also, they are in need of volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, you can reach Howard at 304-661-1804.

I would like to give a special thank-you to Ronceverte Baptist Church BYF and the staff of The West Virginia Daily News for all their hard work. I would also like to thank my son, Coy Linton, for helping with the delivery of the donations.

We are so grateful to our friends and neighbors for their generosity this holiday season, and we couldn’t be prouder to serve this wonderful community.

Merry Christmas from our families to yours!

Sandra Holmes (l to r) and D.C. from the West Virginia Daily News with Gloria and Bill Martin at the Lewisburg-Fairlea Food Locker, operated out of Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg.

Ronceverte Food Pantry receiving donations with (back row l to r) volunteer Coy Linton and D.C. of the West Virginia Daily News. Pictured in the front row (l to r) is Susan Smith-Linton of the West Virginia Daily News and Ronceverte Food Pantry volunteer Barbara Hunter.

Pictured at the White Sulphur Springs Pentecostal Food Bank are Sandra Holmes (l to r) and Susan Smith-Linton from the West Virginia Daily News, food bank volunteers Tanya and Bobby Sizemore, volunteer Coy Linton and Pastor Gene Sizemore.