CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coventry Cares of West Virginia is helping the Mountaineer Food Bank’s mission of getting food to folks who are in need by donating $30,000.
The donation comes after the MFB had some financial struggles a few months ago.
“We’re in a situation where we’re getting things back under control. We’re looking to how we can really help feed people in West Virginia going forward, not just 2015,” said Chad Morrison, the executive director of the MFB.
The grant will assist MFB with operations and programs that bring awareness to the state’s food insecurity issues, highlighting the connection between healthy eating and other health issues
Morrison said a regular box of food they distribute can run from $6 to $10 that can feed a family up to three days. He said it’s not a significant amount, but it is enough to feed an average sized family.
“We have trucks that go out every day and there’s an expense with that, so donations like this help us continue doing that and continue bringing food into West Virginia,” Morrison said at a news conference held at the state Capitol Friday.
Jim Smallridge, the community development manager for Coventry Cares, called the donation a “perfect tie” between the two organizations since they began partnering together about three years ago.
“We saw the fine work that they were doing all over this state and we also serve people of lower income around the state,” said Smallridge. “I hope this will be of assistance to them.”
Smallridge said he also hopes the donation is a catalyst for other businesses and those who are fortunate enough to look around their communities and see what organizations could use help.
“They’re well underway to having ‘the wheels back under the show’ if you will, and we’re happy to help them,” he said.
Coventry Cares of West Virginia is a Medicaid managed care organization that provides coverage to approximately 75,000 low-income people in all 55 counties. Most members are children and pregnant women.
Mountaineer Food Bank is the state’s largest supplier of food and personal products to people in need. Created in 1981, MFB supports more than 600 feeding programs and promotes awareness of hunger issues in West Virginia.