Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Carla Nardella, Executive Director     (304) 364-5518

Email: Carla@mountaineerfoodbank.com

Stephanie Randolph (304) 644-6001

edensacres@yahoo.com

A Symphony of Volunteers

Gassaway, WV.  The hum of casual conversation fills the hallways and the giggles echo throughout the warehouse as the volunteers sort through the stacks of donated goods.  For the staff at Mountaineer Food Bank these sounds remind them of a great symphony. The staff is pleased by these sounds and loves the volunteers for their commitment and effort. These sounds echo throughout our state because their work is translated into thousands of individuals with full stomachs. 

For just a few hours today Mountaineer Food Bank stopped their massive food distribution network responsible for bring nearly 5.7 million pounds of products to hungry West Virginians to recognize the hundreds of volunteers who help make this hunger-relief network so great.  In 2004, 167 volunteers ranging in age from 4 to 86 donated their time at the Food Bank.    Volunteering helps the food bank by increasing the speed with which products can be sorted and distributed throughout the 48 counties they serve and providing the labor to perform tasks that would not happen without them.  Last year the crew of volunteers worked 2,728 hours.

Highlights of this year’s celebration included recognizing volunteers who reached significant milestones of service.  Shane Cogar, Bernice Moore, Angelina Dennison, Justin Rhodes, Lillian Bennett, Mary MacDonald, Pat Frey and the Gassaway Baptist Youth Group all reached 100 hours.  The Braxton County High School “Roll-On-Buy” Class reached the 500 hour benchmark this past year.   Each person’s name was added to a plaque on display at the food bank and the groups both took home plaques to display at the school and in the church.

To add to the festive environment the Braxton County High School Brass Ensemble offered some musical notes of tribute to the volunteers and the Bluegrass Preservation Society, Landmark Studio for the Arts and Minnich’s Florist and Gifts all donated supplies and door prizes to help the Food Bank recognize the outstanding contribution of the volunteers.

Mountaineer Food Bank, a certified member of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, serves more than 460 feeding programs in 48 counties of West Virginia.  The food that passes through their doors touches the lives of more than 260,000 people every month.  They are always looking for new volunteers for both short term and longer commitments.  For more information contact Mountaineer Food Bank at (304) 364-5518 or visit them on the web at www.mountaineerfoodbank.com.