MOUNTAINEER FOOD BANK REBOUNDING AFTER NEAR FINANCIAL COLLAPSE

(01/21/2016)
A food bank that was in danger of closing its doors last year has rebounded strongly, according to a news release.

Mountaineer Food Bank, located in Gassaway in Braxton County, is back "stronger than ever before," its executive director says.

"The challenges our organization and staff experienced in 2015 have actually well-positioned us for our biggest challenge yet -- ending hunger in West Virginia," said Chad Morrison, executive director, in a news release.

Even with financial difficulties, Mountaineer Food Bank distributed a record 11,317,196 pounds of food into 48 counties in the state. In less than eight months, Mountaineer Food Bank was able to enter 2016 completely debt-free.

Mountaineer Food Bank predicts that distribution will top 13 million pounds in 2016. This goes to almost 430 partner feeding programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior programs, Backpack Programs and mobile distributions.