CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Association of Counties is donating $10,000 to the state’s two largest food banks this holiday season.
WVACo will give $5,000 to each Facing Hunger Food Bank and Mountaineer Food Bank.
“It was a no-brainer. As soon as I presented it to the board, everybody said ‘absolutely,” said WVACo president Greg Vandall. “We as elected officials throughout the state want to help, and we thought this was the way.”
“I know a lot of counties and courthouses are doing things on their own locally, but this is something where we could help on a bigger level,” he added.
More than 16 million children nationwide (more than one in four children) are food insecure according to data from Feeding America. 38 percent of those served by Feeding America are under 18 years old. Four out of five homes receiving assistance from Feeding America include a child.
Vandall says the need this year seems to be noticeable larger than prior years.
“I think there’s more people in need of the basics, whether it be due to the economy or everything else going on. It’s just a hard time this year more than ever, and it’s time for the people that can step up and help,” he said.
Vandall says West Virginia residents will step up when their fellow citizens need help.
“West Virginia has always been that all my life. Neighbors helping neighbors. It’s a West Virginia thing to do to help your neighbor and help the ones in need, rather it’s in the coal mines, the gas fields, or whatever. I think everybody’s always done that in West Virginia, but the need is bigger this year,” he said.