KEYSER, W.Va. — Faith in Action is celebrating the new location of its food pantry in a former gun shop at the corner of Lincoln and Mineral streets in Keyser.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church recently purchased the metal building, located next to the church, after the gun shop closed. The one-story structure located at 305 S. Mineral St. is now named the Emmanuel Community Ministry Building.
A dedication service for the facility was hosted by the church on Saturday. The Rev. Roland “Randy” Nairn III, Emmanuel’s rector, called the endeavor a “partnership with the church and the community.”
Pat Keller, manager of the Faith in Action Food Pantry, gave a history of the pantry’s 41 years of service to the community.
“A pastor, Rev. Homer Beeman, had a concern that he took to one of his church members,” Keller said as he explained “the great need of folks who were lacking in food.”
“Keyser area churches were supportive. As a result, they put their faith into action and opened a small food pantry in a closet in their church,” Keller said.
The pantry has been housed at various locations over the years. It was moved from its most recent location on St. Cloud Street because the building was being sold.
“By this time, we were seeing 350 to 400 clients a month,” Keller said.
Emmanuel church provided some funds to renovate the new pantry building, and it opened July 1.
“Leon Ravenscroft oversaw the restructuring, Norman Ravenscroft oversaw the work of a group of helpers from Pennsylvania, Doug Wolf coordinated the football team who moved the freezers and refrigerators …,” Keller said.
The food is donated by area churches and individuals. Steve Heare and others haul food to the pantry each month when the Mountaineer Food Bank truck arrives. The pantry also receives food from USDA Commodities and buys locally using funds donated by school teams and band, clubs, individuals and others.
Currently, “there are about 40 volunteers who serve in various capacities, bringing donated food from both Walmart and Martin’s, signing clients in as they arrive, filling boxes with food, stocking shelves, taking out trash and cardboard, keeping records, sweeping and scrubbing, ordering food, plus whatever needs to be done,” Keller said.
Faith in Action Food Pantry hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Volunteers may call 304-788-5331 and leave a message.
