Two West Virginians create a food resource database to assist through SNAP pause

MADISON, W.Va. (WOWK) — As food insecurity grows in West Virginia, and SNAP benefits are soon to be put on pause, two West Virginian women are taking the steps to help people who need it the most find resources that will assist them through this difficult time.

Cecelia Thompson and Crystal Colyer have teamed up to make a comprehensive, publicly accessible list of every blessing box, free meal kitchen, and food pantry in the Mountain State. Colyer said that she saw a large number of negative comments on social media posts regarding SNAP benefits being put on pause, so she wanted to create a resource people can access to get the help they need anonymously.

“The whole ‘get a job’ thing, the whole ‘how does it feel to struggle?’, the negative comments people make, because it’s so taboo for people to ask for food. It’s just horrible, so I figure, if I make these databases, make them easy to read, easy to follow, easy to access, people won’t have to ask for help, they can look at this database and handle it themselves,” Colyer said.

Thompson said she struggled with food insecurity herself growing up, and her mother frequently depended on food pantries to feed her and her siblings. She has a lot of experience creating spreadsheets, so when she saw Colyer spreading her mission, she knew she had to get involved.

“It hit really close to my heart, it’s just something I’ve experienced myself, being food insecure. Seeing SNAP is going on hold, and I know if it weren’t for food banks when I was younger, I don’t know how my mom would be able to feed us most of the time. This was just a way I knew how to take my abilities and put it forward for the community,” said Thompson.

So far, there are around 650 food resource centers on the list. Thompson and Colyer said it’s a good start, but the job isn’t finished yet.

“The information is out there so much, everybody knows what we’re about and what we’re doing. Everybody is just sending in more and more information. My goal, ultimately, is to have a nice-sized list for all 55 counties in West Virginia, and we’re getting really close to it,” said Colyer.

The database was designed to be easy to navigate, allowing people from all parts of West Virginia to find resources close to their homes with ease.

“There’s a search option so you can narrow it down to only your community. There’s statewide searches on there, there’s county searches on there, and it’s easily navigable, so it’s a fantastic option,” said Colyer.

Fighting the stigma surrounding food insecurity and supporting people who need it the most is Colyer and Thompson’s goal with their efforts.

“Nobody should go without food. It’s okay, it’s really okay if you’re struggling. If somebody has something negative to say about that, they need to put themselves in that person’s shoes for a little while. We need to be a stronger community as a whole and support each other,” said Colyer.

If you’re looking for food resource centers around you, you can take a look at the database by clicking here.

If you know of a food resource center that’s not on Colyer and Thompson’s list yet, they ask that you contact them through their Facebook pages so the list can continue to grow.