West Virginia Seniors Get Monthly Food Boxes from Volunteers

Across West Virginia, volunteers are making sure thousands of seniors never have to choose between groceries and other bills. The Mountaineer Food Bank is calling on community members to help pack and deliver monthly food boxes that provide essential nutrition to low-income seniors age 60 and older.

The boxes arrive like clockwork every month, filled with staples that help seniors maintain their health. Each package contains canned fruits and vegetables, protein sources like canned meats and peanut butter, dairy products including cheese and shelf-stable milk, plus grains like rice, pasta, and cereal.

This is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a federal initiative specifically designed to fill nutritional gaps in seniors' diets. The program targets nutrients that older adults often miss, turning basic groceries into a health intervention that helps people stay independent and well-fed.

But here's what makes it work: people showing up. Volunteers assemble boxes at the food bank's warehouse in Gassaway, load delivery vehicles, and help at mobile distribution sites throughout the state. Without these helping hands, thousands of monthly boxes wouldn't reach the seniors who depend on them.

The food bank welcomes individuals, families, and community groups. Whether you can spare a few hours once or want to volunteer regularly, there's a role that fits your schedule.

The Ripple Effect

When volunteers pack a box for a senior, they're doing more than moving cans from shelf to container. They're ensuring an older neighbor can afford their medications because food costs are covered. They're preventing malnutrition that leads to hospital visits and health crises. They're telling West Virginia's seniors that their community hasn't forgotten them.

Each box represents dignity and care, assembled by neighbors who believe everyone deserves to eat well. The program has served communities across the state for years, creating a safety net that catches people before they fall through the cracks.

Want to help? Visit mountaineerfoodbank.org to sign up for a shift, or email volunteer coordinator Kayla Mosley at kmosley@mountaineerfoodbank.org. They'll match you with opportunities that work for your schedule and interests.

A few hours of your time becomes a month of meals for someone who needs it.