Detailing the help to deliver local holiday food to people
On Tuesday, 1,000 Thanksgiving meals were distributed to families around Monongalia County, thanks to the efforts of nonprofit organizations and volunteers.
I delivered four of those meals to get a different angle on this story. In doing so, I came to realize what it takes to really make a difference.
Many of the meals — each including a turkey; non-perishable Thanksgiving staples, such as canned yams with the marshmallows and brown sugar needed to make them a dish; pumpkin pie; a 5-pound bag of potatoes; rolls; a dairy box and more — were picked up at the Mylan Park Event Center.
“It sure means a lot when you’re only on a fixed income and you have a niece that is with you,” Frances Cogar, 72, told me. “It’s just a nice program.”
Cogar and her husband James, who take care of their 9-year-old niece, were among those who picked up their meals.
United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties was able to provide the dinners, which were purchased through a grant from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust to address food insecurity. Pantry Plus More identified the families in need by working with Monongalia County Schools.
The dairy boxes were provided by the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program and were each worth about $60, said Janette Lewis, United Way community impact director.
But, not everyone had the means to pick up their meals.
Servando Arredondo, engagement manager for United Way, said somewhere between 200-300 meals had to be delivered, adding there were plenty of volunteers to do so.
I had the privilege of delivering four of those meals. To be clear, I was not really one of those volunteers — I was on the clock for The Dominion Post. I’m thankful my editors went along the idea and let me make the deliveries instead of just reporting about other people doing it. All the same, it felt good to help the community.
There was no shortage of real volunteers though. Plenty of cars were already packed and out delivering by the time I thought to count how many — 39 — were in line waiting to be loaded up.
“I’m a licensed social worker so I’m just, you know, giving back to the community,” said Carol Amendola, the delivery volunteer behind me in line.
Amendola said she likes to pitch in when she has the chance and was excited for the opportunity Tuesday.
The food was set up in two circles inside Mylan Park Event Center — one for delivery and one for pickup. A vehicle would drive in, stop at each station where volunteers loaded the food, then the driver would head out.
I picked up my deliveries, and after a quick stop to put the addresses in my GPS and determine the fastest order in which to make my deliveries, I discovered someone had already done that for me, so I set out.
One of my deliveries was to Michelle Smith, who told me she’s grateful for the program.
“As a low-income parent, I can’t afford food,” Smith said. “So, when I get help it really helps me and the family out. And I really appreciate it.”
In all, for just under two hours of time and a little bit of gas, I was able to help make sure the collaborative effort of hundreds of members of the community didn’t go to waste and that four families would have a proper Thanksgiving dinner.
It was great. I also had a realization that, with a little individual effort from a lot of people, big things can happen.
Roark Sizemore, co-founder of Pantry Plus More, said he never imagined what started as a senior year school project would evolve into something that helps distribute 1,000 meals.
As someone who loves food, both new dishes and the comforting classics, I think everyone deserves food stability in their life. I’m grateful programs such as this exist in our county and that I was able to be part of the experience.
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