The Inter-Mountain photos by Brad Johnson Volunteering at a Mountaineer Food Bank Mobile Pantry food distribution event at 4-H Camp Pioneer in Beverly Tuesday are, from left, Jerome Dibacco, Angela Daniels and Elder Hepler, from Star Valley, Wyoming.

Helping to distribute food at the Mountaineer Food Bank Mobile Pantry food distribution event at 4-H Camp Pioneer Tuesday are, far right, Mikayla Nethken and, to her left, Charlie Landis.

BEVERLY — Dozens of vehicles were lined up at 4-H Camp Pioneer Tuesday to take part in a food distribution event.

The Mountaineer Food Bank Mobile Pantry, working with the Randolph County Family Resource Network, was in Randolph County Tuesday, distributing food at the camp from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. The MFB works with the Department of Agriculture to distribute food to 43 counties in West Virginia.

A volunteer helping to distribute the food, longtime local resident Charlie Landis, said the distribution event was running smoothly Tuesday.

“A lot of people came out today,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of helpers, so that makes it better. It’s been a good day here.

“The weather is cooperating, so far,” he said with a laugh.

One of those “helpers” came from many states away to volunteer at the distribution.

Elder Hepler, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is from Star Valley, Wyoming, but was in Beverly Tuesday to volunteer.

“We’re just helping out here today,” he said, smiling.

Mobile Pantries provide food to “food deserts” where food accessibility is limited and/or scarce, according to the Mountaineer Food Bank website. 

Fresh, healthy food tends to have a short shelf life. To make sure food gets to people as quickly and fresh as possible, they are transported to selected locations and distributed by Mountaineer Food Bank. 

Mobile Pantries can provide a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and baked goods to people in need.

Hosted by churches, schools, and community centers, a Mobile Pantry can feed between 100 and 1,000 households, officials said.

A Mobile Pantry will be in Tucker County today, at the Tucker County Board of Education in Parsons, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A Mobile Pantry will be in Upshur County on March 16 at the Brushy Fork Event Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.