CMI Responds to Increased Food Insecurity During Federal Government Shutdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2025
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV. Nonprofit Community Markets Inc. has increased access to healthy & fresh food grown by local farmers during the federal government shutdown which has left many West Virginian families struggling to put food on the table for themselves. With SNAP EBT benefits set to not be disbursed on November 1st until the government reopens, the need for food is anticipated to increase in communities across West Virginia.
In response to these difficulties, Community Markets Inc. has taken two immediate steps to help feed West Virginian families:
1. CMI’s Food Box Giveaway scheduled for tomorrow at St. Leo Catholic Church in Inwood, WV will feed 200 families instead of the originally-planned 150 families. This is made possible by the generous support of partners like Knauf, Highmark Foundation, and many others.
Details about the Giveaway tomorrow are HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCFWadyjq/
2. For SNAP EBT users who have run out of benefits, SNAP Stretch dollars are still available to them at St. Isidore Market when they present their SNAP Card at checkout and use any method of payment to pay for their order. This applies to pre orders as well, which are being accepted now through noon tomorrow. Please see a member of the Market Team during the Market for further details.
Community Markets Inc. is very grateful to United Way of the Eastern Panhandle for the seed funding through the 2025 Unity Campaign which allowed the SNAP Stretch Program to begin.
“Community Markets Inc. is here to provide some hope and nutrition for our West Virginian neighbors who are struggling right now,” said Mark Peiffer, Operations Manager for Community Markets Inc. “We are incredibly grateful to our many generous donors and partners, and invite anyone else able to assist CMI in purchasing emergency food for families struggling right now to Donate as they’re able to – No amount is too small!”
To learn more about Community Markets Inc., how to receive healthy & local food, make a donation, or volunteer, visit www.communitymarketsinc.org or email mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org.
Community Markets Inc. (“CMI”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Shepherdstown, WV whose mission is to connect locally grown food to families in need. In almost three years, Community Markets Inc. has fed 16,700 people in 11 WV counties with 190,000 lbs. of healthy & locally sourced food and put over $500,000 back into farmers’ and small family business owners’ pockets. CMI also has fed 536 underserved students in partnership with the Jefferson County Schools and is currently partnering with the county’s senior center to provide food vouchers to vulnerable seniors. For more information, visit https://www.communitymarketsinc.org.