West Virginia AmeriCorps Restocks 18 Pantries This Month

A team of AmeriCorps volunteers is spreading hope across West Virginia one pantry at a time, and their impact keeps growing.

The LifeBridge AmeriCorps program is restocking 18 pantries across the state this month in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service. Program manager Mindy Robinson says the effort includes food pantries, baby supply stations, and even pet pantries.

This marks the third year of the project, and the numbers tell an inspiring story. In 2024, volunteers collected more than 6,000 items. Last year, that number jumped to 6,800.

"Every year, our numbers get better and better," Robinson said. "So I think they're starting to realize we're here for a while."

The volunteers take a grassroots approach that's working. Each team member picks a pantry site, then uses social media, press releases, and word of mouth to rally their community. In Morgantown, the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties partnered with the city government to boost donations.

The partnerships are creating momentum. "Just being able to push it out on social media, through press releases, word of mouth and just partnerships, it's really starting to kick off," Robinson said.

The Ripple Effect

The pantry restock is one of four annual service projects LifeBridge volunteers complete together. But this one holds special meaning as a way to honor King's commitment to community service.

Robinson frames it simply: "That's what we decided to do, just try to come together as neighbors and help our other neighbors." That neighbor-helping-neighbor spirit is exactly what makes the project sustainable and effective year after year.

The growing donation numbers suggest West Virginians are responding to that vision. As awareness spreads, more people want to contribute.

Anyone wanting to help can call the AmeriCorps program at 304-340-3504 to find their nearest drop-off location. The team also posts regular updates on their Facebook page, LifeBridge AmeriCorps Program, showing which pantries need support.

Three years in, these volunteers have proven that consistent, community-focused service creates lasting change.