Morrisey calling on West Virginians to donate money to food banks, state will provide matching funds

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Patrick Morrisey has called on all West Virginians to donate money to the state’s food banks now that SNAP benefits will be delayed due to the government shutdown. In turn, Morrisey said that the state will match every dollar donated to the food banks – up to $13 million. 

During a press conference on Oct. 28, Morrisey announced that this delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will affect over 40 million people nationwide, including over 270,000 people in West Virginia. 

“Those are people that will be out of these critical SNAP benefits beginning November 1,” Morrisey said. “That’s a serious problem, a crisis, in West Virginia.” 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that there would be no SNAP benefits issued on November 1. 

As of May 2025, according to data from the USDA, there are 273,566 persons in West Virginia receiving SNAP benefits amounting to $45,886,908 per month, or about $168 per person per month in benefits.

“Right now, there are many parents across West Virginia that are wondering if they will be able to put food on the table. Seniors are stretching what little they have, and our local food banks – these lifelines of hope that provide resources to the food pantries – they’re being stretched thin as they step up to meet the need,” Morrisey added.

In order to prevent any resident from going hungry during the government shutdown, Morrisey said that those manning the state’s 211 hotline are ready to help connect those in need with food resource assistance as well as provide information on local food pantries. Additionally, Morrisey said that churches throughout the state are “stepping up” to provide food to those in need. 

To help fund the food banks, Morrisey expedited $1.1 million in emergency and appropriated funding to the state’s food banks last week. 

“Since then, my office has been continuing to work with the Facing Hunger Foodbank and the Mountaineer Food Bank to take additional steps to address the critical need for food,” Morrisey said. “But, we’re not going to be able to do it alone, and West Virginians in the past have shown that they come together during times like this. We take care of our neighbors, we roll up our sleeves, we get things done.” 

Morrisey said that for each dollar in private funds donated to the state’s food banks, the state will contribute a matching dollar – up to $13 million. 

“I’m really hopeful that the public will make a big difference because our fellow West Virginians need your help,” Morrisey said. “This is a call to action.” 

Donations to the Facing Hunger Food Bank can be made here: https://facinghunger.org/donate-now/  

Donations to the Mountaineer Food Bank can be made here: https://mountaineerfoodbank.harnessgiving.org/donate 

Morrisey also said that the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) will be called upon to move the food resources throughout the state, including transportation of food to rural areas, schools and those in need. 

“We stand ready to support our state partner agencies, local food banks and non-profit organizations with critical logistical support to assist West Virginia families and individuals who face food insecurity,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, WVNG Adjutant General. 

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw added that “the true measure of character is not how we treat the strong and the powerful, but how we treat the vulnerable.” 

“A federal government that has abdicated its responsibility to do basic services and provide basic funding for the functions of government is unacceptable,” Hanshaw said. “So, today’s decision is the right decision. I applaud the Governor and the entire executive team for the decisions that will fill the void here that’s been created by a dysfunctional federal government.”

“The focus of our work is always our neighbor in need and the most vulnerable populations in our state including children, seniors and veterans,” Chad Morrison, CEO of Mountaineer Food Bank, was quoted as saying in a press release sent out following the press conference. “We know many West Virginia families are hurting and struggling and these additional resources will be a catalyst for helping families feel whole.”

“We applaud this partnership and the quick action steps of the Governor and this Administration to support hunger relief at this period in which we are experiencing a 50% increase in demand at the food bank, for our pantry partners and at our mobile pantries,” said Cynthia Kirkhart, CEO, of Facing Hunger Food Bank. “The resources provided will be directed to the purchase and distribution of food, and to our pantry partners for their use to meet the emergency food assistance needs of the communities we collectively serve.”

Morrisey said that funding to the food banks would be distributed in phases, and monitoring will continue depending on the length of the government shutdown. 

Resources for Families in need: 

• Call 2-1-1 or visit wv211.org for food assistance and local pantry information.
• Contact your local Family Resource Network (FRN) for community-based support and updated food distribution lists.

A Democratic Response: 

Following Gov. Morrisey’s announcement, West Virginia House of Delegates’ Democrats sent a letter thanking the Governor for expediting $1.1 million to the state’s food banks, and for calling on residents to donate. However, they said that more needs to be done. 

“While these band-aids will help momentarily, systemic change and monumental assistance are crucial at this moment, and we must act now,” the letter states. “One in six of our neighbors use SNAP to put food on their tables. Nearly 100,000 children in our state rely on SNAP to eat. Half of all SNAP households in West Virginia have a disabled or elderly member – a rate higher than the national average.” 

The letter goes on to say that they are willing to work with the Governor to ensure that no West Virginian goes hungry.