October 30, 2023

CMI Welcomes Two AmeriCorps VISTA Members

Community Markets Inc. (CMI) welcomed two AmeriCorps VISTA Members last week for a year-long term of service. The Charles Town based local food nonprofit hired Elizabeth “Ellie” George and Brett Hozdic to serve as AmeriCorps VISTA Members through October 2024. Both VISTA Members will spend the next twelve months increasing CMI’s capacity to feed more hungry Appalachian families, support West Virginian farmers, and increase food security in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. CMI serves as a host site for the VISTA program managed by West Virginia’s Promise, the Alliance for Youth, a local organization that improves the lives of young people through its programs. “We’re really excited to have Brett and Ellie serve with Community Markets Inc. for the next year” commented Program Manager Mark Peiffer, “They have a lot of energy and ideas to bring to the table to help us feed more people.” George, a WV native, got her start with CMI as a volunteer at a Food Box Giveaway which led to part time work and now a full year of civil service as CMI’s Outreach Coordinator. She spent the previous year serving another AmeriCorps term of service with Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Hozdic, a recent graduate of Shepherd University with a degree in graphic design, served with CMI earlier this year as a AmeriCorps Summer VISTA. He returns ready to serve his community for another year as CMI’s Communications Specialist. “We’re very optimistic about what Community Markets Inc. will accomplish in the coming year, but we need more dedicated volunteers and strong community partners to work alongside us.” Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Markets Inc. should email Ellie at ellie.george@communitymarketsinc.org.

AmeriCorps VISTA Members Ellie George and Brett Hozdic display a banner with the Community Markets Inc. logo on it while posing in front of CMI’s refrigerated trailer.

Community Markets Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Charles Town, WV whose mission is to connect locally grown food to families in need. To learn more or make a donation, please visit www.communitymarketsinc.org and like CMI’s Facebook page.