Agency looks to fill its pantries

By LAUREN HOUGH / Journal Staff Writer

MARTINSBURG — In the lull of summer, the state of area food pantries doesn’t come to the forefront of many peoples’ minds.

The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, however, is asking community members to consider the need of under-served families and individuals in the coming month by participating in its Day of Caring Mega Food Drive.

Beginning Wednesday and running until Sept. 11, needed non-perishable food items can be dropped off at a number of points in Berkeley and Jefferson counties, said R.B. Seem, who is co-chairing the event with Vonda Miller.

On Sept. 11, the designated Day of Caring, collected food items will be picked up from each location and delivered accordingly to either Jefferson County Community Ministries or CCAP Loaves and Fishes.

“It’s a great way for people and businesses to participate in the Day of Caring if they are not able to participate on the Day of Caring,” Seem said.

Items that are especially needed include macaroni and cheese, jelly, cereal, peanut butter, canned spaghetti sauce, 1 lb. boxes of spaghetti, soup, canned beans (but not green beans), Jiffy mix for corn muffins, Tuna Helper, small boxes of dried milk and any diabetic food. Stores’ “house” brands work well for donated items.

Drop off locations will be added throughout the month, but currently include MVB Bank, Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library, First United Bank, Centra Bank and Jefferson Security Bank.

Melanie Files, co-director of CCAP Loaves and Fishes in Berkeley County, said that in July, the organization served 278 families and 764 individuals with needed food items.

As of July 31, the numbers of those being served totaled 2,029 families and 6,034 individuals — up from the numbers in 2006.

The group, which is a part of the Congressional Cooperative Action Project, does receive government food but often runs low on supplies of breakfast items.

“Kids need cereal for breakfast,” Files said.

Because school is out for the summer, many children who normally receive breakfast and lunch at school aren’t getting those meals.

Families may face increased expenses throughout the summer because of the cost of clothing their children to send them back to school, medical expenses and increased electric bills due to the use of air conditioning, Files said.

Many senior citizens in the community also utilize the help of CCAP Loaves and Fishes, which is located in the basement of the old St. Joseph’s Parish school.

While the food pantry consistently has a supply of green beans, corn and other canned vegetables, trips to Martin’s grocery store are often needed to supplement the donations that come in from the community. Each trip to the store to buy cases of cereal, peanut butter and other items costs the organization at least $700, Files said.

“We are very fortunate that people in this community help us out a lot,” she said.

People often raid their own cupboards for items to donate, and area churches and lawyers often donate money or food to CCAP.

“We do the best we can with what we have,” Files said. “The people in Berkeley County are phenomenal.”

The staff of CCAP Loaves and Fishes is 100 percent volunteer, and assistance is always needed to help pack boxes, work the desk or substitute, Files said. CCAP is open from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Thursday in August and will extend its hours to 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in September.

“We appreciate anything people can do,” she said.

Community members may donate any of the items listed above to CCAP or to the Mega Food Drive effort. Last year, more than 40 food drop off sites were set up in Berkeley County, Seem said.

Businesses or organizations wishing to participate may call Seem at MVB Bank at (304) 264-4000, and he will provide a box for collecting items and pick it up on September 11. Lists of established drop-off locations and accepted food items can be found on the United Way Web site at www.uwayep.org.

“This is a way everyone in the community can participate in the Day of Caring,” he said. “We’ll be happy to go anywhere to pick up food.”

— Staff writer Lauren Hough can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 163, or at lhough@journal-news.net