Mar 8, 2018 3 min read

Most people don’t have to worry about where they’ll find their next meal.

But for 5,150 people in Greene County, the basic necessity of food isn’t a luxury they have.

More than 13 percent of the county’s population faces some sort of food insecurity, according to Greene County Food Security Partnership. A “hunger summit” in Waynesburg earlier this week brought officials from across the region together to discuss ways to battle hunger.

What was most striking from this discussion was that about 1,500 children in Greene County – or 1 in 5 – are currently facing food insecurity at home. That’s makes the nutrients students get from breakfasts or lunches at their schools that much more important.

“Meals have changed from when I was going to school to where they are now,” said Jim Elsenheimer, West Greene School District’s food service director.

But that only helps when students are at school. The district and others in the county have created summer and weekend food programs, with feeding sites open to those who are eligible. Elsenheimer said they need more volunteers so they can offer the program at various locations, such as churches, fire halls and libraries.

That’s what has made the lengthy teachers’ strike in West Virginia especially hard on rural and impoverished families. The loss of a regular meal for the students was one of the lost stories in the nearly two-week episode that finally ended Tuesday.

In response during the time, many reports came out of the state that volunteers and parents began organizing temporary day-care services to watch and feed children while other parents had to work.

Still, it’s disappointing that during one of America’s most prosperous periods, we still have children in our society going hungry.

That also makes the tireless work of Candace Tustin, executive director of Corner Cupboard Food Bank, and her one staff member all the more important. Her facility distributes to 11 different pantries in the county with help from many volunteers. Their role is often taken for granted, but they do a masterful job.

Meanwhile, a new initiative hopefully will bring some food options directly to people in need.

Five new “little free pantries” are stationed across the county. Much like the popular “little free libraries” that encourage people to take-a-book and leave-a-book without a library card, these pantries offer nonperishable food items to those in need. People in the community are encouraged to leave something for others who are struggling between paychecks.

It’s off to a great start with locations in Waynesburg, Carmichaels, Aleppo and Spraggs.

So the next time you pass one of these miniature food pantries, think about all the people who are struggling with food insecurities. Maybe leave something behind for someone less fortunate.

These people – especially our children – live in our communities and need our help.