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What is food insecurity? It is defined as the state of, or risk of, being unable to provide enough food to fully meet basic needs for all members of your family. Currently, approximately 1 in 8 West Virginia residents and nearly 1 in 4 children live in families that lack the means to regularly put enough nutritious food on the table for everyone to live healthy, active lives and are considered "food insecure." As a result, they struggle with hunger at some time during the year.
How does the Helpful Harvest Food Program, led by the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, tackle food insecurity? Housed at Hazel's House of Hope on Scott Avenue in Morgantown, Helpful Harvest serves as a food distribution hub, ensuring food and essential supplies reach those who need them most. United Way staff distribute resources like food, hygiene items, and baby supplies to over 50 pantries and feeding programs, which serve families, children, seniors, and individuals in need in Monongalia and Preston Counties. The Helpful Harvest Food Program, supported by generous donors and volunteers, continues to meet this need head-on, ensuring that no family goes hungry in our community. We are also happy to announce that our Helpful Harvest Food Program has a new full-time Manager, Candace Calvert. Candace can be reached at candace@unitedwaympc.org or 304-554-9099.
How can you help us fight food insecurity in our community? There are a variety of ways to help us in this initiative including volunteering your time or financial support, but we have some events coming up that I want to share as well. On Monday, Aug. 24, visit the Buffalo Wild Wings at Suncrest Towne Centre from 4 to 9 p.m. and mention the United Way fundraiser. During this event, 15% of all food sales will go toward supporting our Helpful Harvest Food Program. We hope to see you there!
Save the date for our Spice of Life fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace at Tibbs Run. During this event, local restaurants will showcase their cuisine by providing tapas and competing for the "Zestiest" prize. This event is dedicated to raising funds for purchasing food for our Helpful Harvest Food Program that will directly benefit local food pantries in Monongalia and Preston Counties.
To learn more about the Helpful Harvest Food Program, visit https://www.unitedwaympc.org/helpfulharvest.
Savanna Draper is the Community Impact Director at United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. She can be reached at savanna@unitedwaympc.org.