Tim Bishop Photo

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield blesses Catholic Charities West Virginia’s new Mobile Outreach and WellnessWorks Food Pantry at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission in Elizabeth April 25.

By Tim Bishop

ELIZABETH—Bishop Michael J. Bransfield blessed and dedicated Catholic Charities West Virginia’s (CCWVa) new Mobile Outreach and WellnessWorks Food Pantry at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission in Elizabeth April 25.

Bishop Bransfield thanked those in attendance for the hard work shown by many to get this project started: “This is a lot of work, both by the people in Catholic Charities and the people of this parish, and for that I am grateful.” During the dedication, the bishop said, “we are called to do this work and we could ignore poverty very easily if we choose to. Studies have shown that there is a significant number of poor among us in very remote areas and so when you see this van, you know that those people are going to receive the help they need. It is a great blessing to our diocese to live the example of Christ.”

A representative for Sen. Joe Manchin was also on hand to deliver a message from the senator. In it, Manchin thanked CCWVa for its work in helping the less fortunate in the state. “I am truly proud of this program,” Manchin said in the letter, “which will reach out to families in the area to provide beneficial opportunities and healthy food assistance.”

Mark Sliter-Hays, executive director of CCWVa, said, “this van is more than just about offering food. We are looking at using it for mobile income tax assistance and in working with other organizations to provide information and referrals.”

CCWVa’s Mobile Outreach is intended to address the needs of the poor and low-income families in a six-county area including Calhoun, Roane, Ritchie, Doddridge, Gilmer and Wirt counties. The van will travel the area each month and offer consumers a five-day supply of healthy food in accordance with the best practices of the CCWVa WellnessWorks Food Pantry Program.

Project Coordinator Jane Freeland will be behind the wheel when the van travels on its mission to help those in need. “It is amazing to be a part of this project to help those in need,” Freeland said. “To me,” she added, “this is preaching the gospel, not by using words, but by using actions. Words do not express how much this means to me.” Freeland said the program works in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Resources and volunteers to target those in most need. Freeland said that the van offers healthy canned foods as well as vouchers to purchase fresh, healthy food items from local retailers.

The two major funding organizations for the Mobile Outreach Program are the Walmart Foundation (CCWVa is a subgrantee of Catholic Charities USA’s grant for Hunger Relief) and the Congregation of St. Joseph’s Generous Promise Grant Fund, which promotes systemic change with a focus on human rights and basic human needs. In addition, support from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, regional parishes, churches and civic and community leaders have brought this project to fruition.

For more information or to check distribution dates, contact Deborah Shaffer, CCWVa Parkersburg regional director, at dshaffer@ccw va.org or (304) 424-3457, ext. 130 or toll free at 1-800-900-2989.