Members of the Blackwater Ministerial Association (BMA) Board met August 9 to review site options for the relocation of the Blackwater Food Pantry currently housed in the basement of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Davis. The church needs foundation work in the near future and the food pantry will need to vacate the space prior to construction.
The collection and monthly distribution of food by the Food Pantry is overseen by Veronica Staron who has served as Volunteer Director for more than nineteen years. Distribution, transportation, and other administrative duties are provided by a dedicated team of twenty-five (plus) volunteers. There are no paid staff. In 2022, BMA delivered over 46,000 pounds of food to people in need. More than eighty families utilize the Food Pantry.
BMA is currently in negotiations to lease property in our service area that will allow our families easy access. The first draft of the Food Pantry building has been designed. The building design will be modified to the location on the building site to allow for efficient food distribution and traffic flow.
The mission of the BMA is to provide food and other community services to those in need. The board meets monthly and much of the meeting is devoted to developing and implementing a strategic plan to ensure the sustainability of the Blackwater Food Pantry. Current members of the BMA Board are Pastor Ruth Bullwinkle, President; Pastor Jay Bunting, Vice President; Veronica Staron, Pantry Director; and members Kathy Thomas, Tom Kucer, Tim McGowan, Diane Hinkle, Father Martin Smay, Paul Teranto, Deborah McHenry, Brenda Wolford, and Joan Emerson.
The board recently established a new Blackwater Ministerial mailing address: PO Box 103, Davis, WV 26260. We welcome your input and support to help further our mission.