“They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”
After a long day of ministry, Jesus and His exhausted disciples saw that the multitude that had followed him into the desert was hungry. They said to Him “send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves victuals.”
Jesus answered to give what the disciplines had, which amounted to five loaves and two fishes. They wondered how He could feed them, but Jessus said “bring them hither to me.”
From those small and humble baskets, 5,000 ate until satisfied.
Similarly the Moorefield Food Pantry on Elm Street, a ministry of Moorefield Church of God, occupies a small and non descript storefront. That facade does not register the amount of food and supplies painstakingly gathered within, nor does it reflect the bigness of the hearts of the people who bring it together and keep it running.
Imogeen Helsley and her sister Lola Fitzwater, and also a small cadre of dedicated volunteers and community supporters, help to keep the “baskets” filled at the Food Pantry.
“She’s been here eight years. I came in five years ago,” stated Fitzwater, who added that “Imogeen’s the director. She’s the brains” who keeps the effort organized. Said Fitzwater “I do the fundraising” and she also scouts for non cash donations as well. Ralph Fitzwater, Eileen Mongold and “whoever comes through wanting to volunteer” help to keep the shelves stocked and the operation running well.
“We have a few that are really dedicated,” said Fitzwater. She also stated that “we work solely on money raised.”
A major fundraiser will come on July 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The “Cruisin for Christ” classic car show will offer food, a silent auction, door prizes, and family-friendly faith-based musical entertainment.
The pantry serves about 140 families per month. During the school year, they also provide for about 140 students per year. It opens every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fourth Thursday every month is reserved for veterans and between 45 and 50 former servicemen are served on average during those days.
Every four months, they also set up a giveaway at East Hardy High School, The next is scheduled for July 15 from 10 a.m. to 11:30. Fitzwater described the need there, saying “we have cars that line up from the schoolhouse all the way to 55.” The pantry had to move the start time back to mitigate the backups.
Fitzwater shared that the majority of the food comes from the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway, but that does not cover the full need. Fitzwater handles the task of mobilizing local support, saying “My husband says I hit up people all the time to donate.” He, Ralph Fitzwater, is a regular volunteer as well.
“The Moorefield community is pretty good,” said Fitzwater, who added “If I ask for donations, they’re always willing to help out.”
Large amounts of non food supplies come courtesy of Proctor and Gamble and their massive manufacturing center near Martinsburg. They send some of that Bounty and other products to schools, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. In the school system, personal hygiene supplies are discreetly handed out by the Communities in Schools program to students in need.
She added that a decade ago during the severe floods that hit different parts of Southern West Virginia that they also sent trucks of hygiene products, food, clothing and more.
Pantry volunteers do even more than that. When they become aware of a specific need, they jump into action.
One example came when Helsley heard that a child slept not on a bed but in a chair. Volunteers took a truck to the Rio Mall to secure a bed for the child. During COVID, the operation went mobile to get the food to the doorsteps of those who needed it.
“You name it, we’ve probably given it,” Fitzwater said.
