FAITH & COMMUNITY: Harvest season brings a call to help hungry neighbors
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October is here, which means collecting the last fruits of the summer vegetable garden. Imagine unearthing sweet potatoes, gathering up butternut and acorn squash and hunting for the final installment this season of green beans, lima beans and tomatoes. For those who love to garden, you know the peace that comes from digging in the dirt, pulling out weeds and tenderly caring for your crops. Some years are better than others. You know the simply joy that emerges with filling your basket with goodies to be shared in your household, with friends and neighbors.
Working in the garden at home or at church, I am reminded of the scripture passages that summon us to leave part of the harvest for people in need: immigrants, orphans and widows (Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19). In Matthew 25, Jesus asks if we have cared for the people who are hungry, thirsty, sick, in prison, without clothes, or new to the community. These teachings call us to build a fair and caring community that show's God's love.
Reflecting on gardening and food leads to an important question: Do all families in our community have enough to eat? The need is growing, but each of us can help.
Families are being pinched in more ways than one. As gas prices go up... it not only costs more to fuel our vehicles to get to where we need to be, it costs more to put food on the table. In Morgantown, the lowest sale price for an 8.9 oz box of Cheerios is $2.99. The largest box costs $5.97 to $7.59, depending on the store. Did you ever imagine we would be paying $6 bucks for a box of Cheerios?
Local figures show how quickly the need is growing. Scott's Run Settlement House served 2,897 individuals in 2024 and 8,266 individuals in 2025. If the need stays steady during the last three months of this year, the agency is on pace to serve 9,185 people in 2026. Feeding America has not yet released its 2025 data. In 2024, 15.9% of people in Monongalia County faced food insecurity. Looking at the data from Scott's Run Settlement House, we can imagine that that percentage will climb once 2025 figures come out.
The growth in food insecurity will only become worse as additional cuts by Congress are put in place for SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare. What can we do? First, register to vote. Learn about the issues and candidates and then cast your ballot. We can follow God's call to feed hungry people, give water to those who are thirsty, notice people in need and serve them.
Everyone can share time, skills or money. Scott's Run Settlement House, St. Ursula's Food Pantry and Pantry Plus More welcome food, money and service. Might you share some of those last fresh vegetables from your garden? Might you add a few extra of your favorite nonperishable food items to your grocery cart to share with a pantry? Might you go online and book a time to volunteer or make a quick monetary gift. If you are working on your will or updating beneficiary forms, consider naming one of these agencies as a beneficiary for a portion of your estate. Either way, go to their websites, read their newsletters and be a part of the solution. www.srsh.org, www.stmarystarcity.com/st–ursula, https://www.pantryplusmore.org/
This harvest season, ask yourself: how can I help my community and show God's justice and love? It's about being intentional, using your agency and claiming your part in God's economy.
The Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley serves as the Ministry Relations Officer for the Allegheny & Chesapeake Region of the Presbyterian Foundation. She is a minister member of the Presbytery of West Virginia and a graduate of Muskingum College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She maintains an office at First Presbyterian Church on Spruce Street.