Berkeley County Commission approves $10,000 split to local food programs amid SNAP interruption

The Berkeley County Commission voted to approve $10,000 in county funds, split evenly between local food partners and the county school backpack program, to help residents affected by recent interruptions to SNAP benefits.

Commission members opened discussion after one member said the request came at the governor's encouragement and described “a great need for communities, faith groups, [and] government to step forward” to help neighbors whose incomes or paychecks had been disrupted. Commissioners discussed replicating a previous county effort, using fire halls as donation drop-off points and coordinating collection with existing pantries. Several commissioners expressed a preference for monetary donations to local food banks so those organizations could buy the items they most needed.

Commissioner Preston moved to allocate $5,000 to each of the two named programs; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission directed staff to prepare a purchase order for the amount chosen so the recipient organizations could use purchasing power rather than relying solely on in-kind donations. Commissioners discussed possible funding sources, including coal severance funds, and agreed to check with the named agencies about their current needs before finalizing additional allocations.

“I feel if you do it locally, your food will stay locally,” one commissioner said while outlining the preference for donating to the Mountaineer Food Bank so local distribution could be prioritized.

The commission approved the purchase order and the $10,000 allocation, split between the two programs, by voice vote.