CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A small donation can have a big impact on those in need. The Mountain Mission, with the help of the Kanawha County Commission, Appalachian Power and West Virginia American Water collected non-perishable food items and monetary donations Wednesday morning in front of the Kanawha County Courthouse.
It was the second annual ‘Power Up the Pantry’ fundraiser. John Roberts, the executive director of Mountain Mission, said they did a similar drive shortly after Hurricane Sandy last year when the pantry was in desperate need.
“When disaster hits, we don’t have time to go shopping,” stressed Roberts. “So we’re trying to stock up our pantry with food and other necessities so that we can be prepared when someone is in need.”
Roberts admitted it was a tough 2012 with the pantry suffering shortages during Sandy and the June derecho.
“It depleted our pantries. It also hurt us financially because we had to take financial resources and go out and purchase things.”
Roberts said the mission is just starting to bounce back from the disasters and they want to be prepared for next time.
They’re collecting non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, personal care items and water. Roberts stressed that is not just stock piled for major disasters.
“People are hurting everyday. It’s not just the storms that effect people,” said Roberts. “There are storms in individual’s lives everyday.”
The ‘Power Up the Pantry” event carries over to Appalachian Power Park Wednesday evening. Power fans can bring items or monetary donations and drop them off at the entrances to the park. Another way to help out is to purchase your Wednesday evening game ticket on the Power’s website and then type in “pantry.” Some of the proceeds from the ticket will go back to Mountain Mission.
Roberts stressed, all the donations stay local. That means it helps those in the Kanawha Valley get back on the feet in times of need.