INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Volunteers from around the Kanawha Valley are taking in food over the next three months to help those in need this winter.
For 45 years now, UFO has collected food near the beginning of the calendar year. This year, they’re helping a dozen independent food pantries that need their cupboards stocked. Two of the pantries are in Putnam County and the other 10 are in Kanawha County.
UFO Chair Elaine Harris says the organization is run completely by volunteers, whether it be retirees, everyday citizens, or workers for participating companies. Those volunteers met at UFO’s distribution center in Institute Friday morning to begin the collecting process.
“The folks that were there this morning for the kickoff, they said they feel like they’re giving back and making positive contributions in their communities. It’s a good thing both ways,” Harris said.
Harris told MetroNews that they are getting ready to partner with West Virginia State University and the state Department of Agriculture for drives, as the need is greater than normal this year.
“We’re just trying to pull from everywhere we can because the pantries are telling us that they’ve seen a vast increase in people needing food,” she said.
According to Harris, there’s typically not a shortage of donations and volunteers around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but residents still have a need in the weeks and months after.
“You get through the holidays and there are still people that are making tough choices, whether it be to pay a utility bill or get a prescription filled. Just to juggle those needs that people have,” she said.