CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the House of Delegates’ Food Insecurity Work Group say CARES Act funding allocated by Gov. Jim Justice will help serve West Virginia’s most vulnerable population.
“One in six West Virginians suffer with this, so it’s awesome that the governor stepped up to take care of these folks,” Del. Chad Lovejoy (D-Cabell) told MetroNews Tuesday.
Last week, Justice announced $7.25 million will go to food pantries and homeless shelters across the state.
Lovejoy and Del. Larry Pack (R-Kanawha) have lead the work group since House Speaker Roger Hanshaw announced the bipartisan group’s formation in June.
“One of the things we’re trying to do is find ways for all these partners to work together. They have a common goal and they’re all doing great work, but sometimes in different trenches,” Lovejoy said. “It’s a wonderful learning experience for all of us as we try to come up with policy to help.”
About $3 million of the $7.25 million will go to food pantries and $2 million will go to Facing Hunger Food Bank and Mountaineer Food Bank.
Justice said additional dollars will be dedicated to freezer upgrades at the West Virginia National Guard Rock Branch regional food distribution center. Several Rescue Mission organizations each will receive $250,000.
Lovejoy said there is a big need to serve families especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pre-pandemic, Facing Hunger Food Bank which serves the southern part of the state, in a typical year might distribute five million pounds of food. In a pandemic year, you’re looking at 16 million plus,” he said.
Supply and transportation issues are also causing concern, Lovejoy said.
“When the need goes up, the problem is supply doesn’t always go up the same way. It has really put a strain on these folks who are the safety net to make sure people have access to food,” he said.
“We are truly grateful Governor Justice has seen and heard the needs we have in West Virginia and made the decision to utilize our federal dollars to help reduce hunger throughout the state,” Pack said in a statement. “We know the need is dire, and these investments will go a long way in helping those people and groups doing immensely important work to feed our state’s hungry.”
The $7.25 million is part of West Virginia’s remaining $122.8 million in federal CARES Act funding.