The Inter-Mountain photo by Brad Johnson Back row from left are Victoria Stewart, an Americorps Vista at Youth Health Service; Jennifer ‘J.J.’ Johnson, director of the Home Ties Strengthening Families Center at YHS; Amanda Arbogast, YHS director of Business Operations; Tammy Rizzio, YHS executive co-director; Jimmy Kisamore, general manager of U-Haul Moving and Storage of Elkins; Tammy Rizzio, YHS executive co-director; and Casey Collins, CSR with U-Haul of Elkins. Front row from left are Kristy Kline, YHS family resource specialist; Liz Hawkins, CSR with U-Haul in Elkins; and Mark Arnold, U-Haul field relief manager.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brad Johnson
Back row from left are Victoria Stewart, an Americorps Vista at Youth Health Service; Jennifer ‘J.J.’ Johnson, director of the Home Ties Strengthening Families Center at YHS; Amanda Arbogast, YHS director of Business Operations; Tammy Rizzio, YHS executive co-director; Jimmy Kisamore, general manager of U-Haul Moving and Storage of Elkins; Tammy Rizzio, YHS executive co-director; and Casey Collins, CSR with U-Haul of Elkins. Front row from left are Kristy Kline, YHS family resource specialist; Liz Hawkins, CSR with U-Haul in Elkins; and Mark Arnold, U-Haul field relief manager.

Editor’s note: The Inter-Mountain’s Comfort and Joy series will continue in each edition leading up to Christmas Eve.

ELKINS — A local business has been honored for its role in helping feed the needy this year.

Representatives of U-Haul Moving and Storage of Elkins were recently presented the Youth Health Service Heart of Giving Award for providing storage and support for the YHS Food Pantry.

“When we were talking about who we wanted to recognize, it seemed like a pretty good fit,” said Tammy Rizzio, executive co-director of YHS. “We’re celebrating one year of the food pantry being open. We started working with U-Haul Moving and Storage here and we saw a big change. Not only due to the physical space, but also the staff members here who are so helpful. Thank you so much for all you do.”

Jennifer “J.J.” Johnson, the director of the Home Ties Strengthening Families Center at YHS, also presented the U-Haul staff with a basket of snacks.

“We couldn’t do this without you,” she said. “The food pantry continues to grow, and there is such a need. But please know we appreciate you, from the bottom of our hearts.”

Mark Arnold, a U-Haul field relief manager based in Saint Albans, accepted the award.

“I think it’s an honor and a privilege,” he said. “To work with the community and help people in need, I think that’s the name of the game. That’s always been a priority for us.”

Kristy Kline, the Home Ties Strengthening Families Center’s family resource specialist, said that during the past year, U-Haul Moving and Storage “has been crucial in our ability to provide food to the community.”

“As a small token of our gratitude, we’re awarding you the Heart of Giving,” she said. “U-Haul and your staff go above and beyond to ensure that we can continue to provide food to those in need in Randolph County.”

“With your help we were able to increase our holiday meals this year,” Kline said. “We went from providing 50 free Thanksgiving meals to the needy last year to 100 meals this year. And for Christmas we’re pushing for 200. We could not do this without your help.”

Jimmy Kisamore, the general manager of U-Haul Moving and Storage of Elkins, said his staff appreciated the honor.

“I can say, for my company, we’re essential,” he said. “We’ve been through the pandemic, we did not stop, we did not slow down. Our doors have been open seven days a week. If not, we can’t help people.”

For more information, call the YHS Food Pantry at 304-636-9450.