Food pantry site announced
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DAVIS -- The Blackwater Ministerial Association (BMA) Board is pleased to announce the future site of the BMA Food Pantry. Once funding is secured, the building will be constructed on a parcel of leased property adjacent to Mt. Calvery Cemetery on the corner of Second Street and Quail Ridge Road, Thomas.
Over the past several months, members of the BMA Construction Committee led by Chairman Tom Kucer, met with the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Committee and Father Martin Smay of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church to discuss the possibility of leasing a parcel of property.
The Cemetery Committee forwarded a request to Bishop Mark Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston asking that he lease a quarter of an acre from an unused portion of the cemetery property to the Food Pantry. The Diocese was satisfied with the amount of space available at the Cemetery and a lease agreement was prepared.
"We're happy that the Bishop saw the value that the food pantry provides for the community. The Catholic Church has always been involved with feeding those in need so we were not surprised when Bishop Brennan agreed to do the lease", stated Father Smay. On September 20, 2023 the lease agreement was presented and approved by the BMA Board of Directors.
The Blackwater Food Pantry is currently housed in the basement of St. John's Lutheran Church in Davis but will need to vacate the space soon due to foundation work.
Construction costs are anticipated to be about $200,000. Grant funding and donations are being sought to support construction costs. Pastor Ruth Bullwinkle, President of the BMA Board of Directors, who will oversee the fundraising drive stated, "As the outreach of the ministerial association has grown over the years so has the support from our community and friends. I believe that bodes well for our fundraising drive."
The BMA web site is in development. Please LIKE and FOLLOW the Blackwater Ministerial Association Facebook page to keep updated on food distribution times and other important news.
The collection and monthly distribution of food by the Food Pantry is provided by a dedicated team of twenty-five (plus) volunteers. In 2023, BMA delivered over sixty thousand pounds of food to people in need. More than eighty families utilize the Food Pantry.
We welcome your input and support to further our mission of "providing food and other community services to those in need." The Blackwater Ministerial mailing address is P.O. Box 103, Davis, WV 26260.