Growing Wealth & Wellness in West Virginia with WV-grown Food
www.communitymarketsinc.org
November 2025 News: Hope & Nutrition for WV
Why do local nonprofits matter? Because we’re here in times of crisis to provide boots-on-the-ground support to families struggling. We live in the communities we serve. We’re in it with you – the good and the bad. We’re on the ground where the need is most – 200 families fed in Inwood – over 150 families fed down in the coal fields of Boone County. We’ve helped struggling SNAP users and federal workers. Low-income, rural, underserved, income-constrained – we’re ensuring that some hope and nutrition reaches those most in need in our WV communities.
Magnolia Market is a great example of what Community Markets Inc. can do to better our struggling rural communities’ food security, health, and economic development. Watch the Video HERE that we just released for a recap of the Market’s pilot year.
Don’t forget our WV Farmers this Thanksgiving. There’s so much available locally – including Local & Fresh Turkeys, Pies, & Cranberry Jam. Take advantage of our upcoming St. Isidore Thanksgiving Markets by Pre Ordering to make your holiday meal prep easy & affordable!
As we approach the end of the 2025, please remember CMI in your year-end giving.
Thank you again, reader, for your support! Together, we’re weathering difficulties together and keeping underserved WV families nourished.
Mark Peiffer, RPO
Operations Manager
Mobile: 703-789-1879
mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org
Impact at a Glance
In three years, Community Markets Inc. has fed over 17,400 people in 12 WV counties with 197,800 lbs. of healthy & locally-sourced food and put $537,500 back into farmers‘ and small family business owners’ pockets.
In October 2025 alone, CMI fed over 1,100 people with 10,200 lbs. of fresh & healthy locally-sourced food and put $40,000 back into local farmers’ & food entrepreneurs’ pockets!
–Team Morale Boosted! As a ‘Thank You’ to the Market Team for hitting recent sales goals, the whole CMI Team enjoyed free lunch recently.
Chris is still coming out of his food coma!
October 2025 Highlights
– Magnolia Market Wrap Up! CMI’s pilot mobile market serving Paw Paw, WV, Magnolia Market, wrapped up for the year on October 17th. In 5 Markets, 70 Pre Orders were placed and 87% of all Senior Vouchers were redeemed.
Watch this Video JUST RELEASED to learn more about Magnolia Market’s pilot year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HL9-m-GX3E
– Families Fed! Since the last newsletter, over 500 families have been fed during 3 different Food Box Giveaways in Shepherdstown, Inwood, and Boone County.
Thank you to our partners: Asbury UMC, St. Leo Catholic Church, and Shepherds Heart Food Pantry.
In response to the difficulties arising for many due to the federal shutdown and SNAP benefits not being disbursed, CMI has increased the number of families being fed.
Our partners and donors make it possible to feed additional families, especially in times of crisis!
– New Partners! CMI is very grateful to Knauf Insulation for sponsoring the Food Box Giveaway in Inwood in late October. Knauf not only donated $6,800 to offset local food purchasing costs, but also donated 260 lbs. of food and sent over 20 volunteers to the Giveaway. Read the Press Release HERE.
– We’re also very grateful to the Latter-day Saints Martinsburg Stake for their generous donation of $25,000 towards a new pick up truck!
WV State Delegate Chuck Horst also donated $5,000 towards a new truck!
– Speaking Engagement! Mark is grateful to be able to present at the recent AmeriCorps Conference in Sutton, WV put on by Volunteer West Virginia. Over 100 AmeriCorps Members from around the Mountain State for a day of camaraderie and professional development.
Want Mark to speak at your next event or Conference? Contact Us to book him!
UPCOMING: November at Community Markets Inc.
– Thanksgiving Markets. Think Local & Affordable this Thanksgiving with our special St. Isidore Thanksgiving Markets on November 20th & 26th! We’re taking pre orders now for fresh & local whole turkeys.
Pies, Cranberry Jam & Cream Cheese, Potatoes, and all your staple groceries are available for your Thanksgiving dinner all in one place!
Pre Order Now for our next Market on November 13th!
– Upcoming Food Box Giveaways! On November 18th we’ll feed 150 families at our next Food Box Giveaway. Location & details TBA. Watch our Facebook page and sign up to receive updates to be the first to know! CMI also has some other feeding efforts going on behind the scenes leading up to Thanksgiving, including partnering with St. James Catholic Church to feed 400 families.
– Year End Giving. As we approach the end of 2025, please remember CMI in your year-end giving. Community Markets Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible.
– THANK YOU to our recent donors – especially our monthly donors – for your donations to our Emergency Food Fund which allows us to purchase food for those struggling right now. Please Donate if you can!
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