Our CEO, Cyndi Kirkhart, recently appeared on CNN Newsroom to highlight the real and immediate impact of federal funding cuts on food banks like ours. In April alone, we lost 330,000 pounds of food—one-third of our typical monthly distribution—due to the rollback of critical USDA programs. These resources are essential to families across our rural region who are already facing barriers to food access.
Cyndi urged Congress to reject proposed cuts to nutrition programs and to pass a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that protects both farmers and families. Programs like TEFAP and CSFP are lifelines in West Virginia, where nearly 90% of those we serve are children, seniors, veterans, or underemployed individuals. Without action, local food banks are forced to stretch already thin budgets to meet growing needs.
We remain hopeful and committed—but we cannot do this alone.