August News: Old Friends & New Beginnings

August 5, 2025. As the heat of summer begins to wane and autumn suggests its coming, CMI is happy to welcome back two AmeriCorps VISTA Members, Nick Langan and Chris Hozdic, who will assist us greatly as we continue to expand programs to feed hungry families in WV. These programs include beginning Potomac Bends Market in Paw Paw, WV which is a small town within a food desert in southwestern Morgan County. We also continue to grow our reach and partnerships with the Food Box Giveaway Program. Look for more info soon about upcoming dates and locations of CMI’s next Giveaway.

I urge you to get involved: Shop at our Mobile Markets, Volunteer, Like & Share our posts on Facebook, and Donate monthly or one-time. We can’t continue this most necessary work without your generous support! Finally, Thank You to everyone who has pitched in their time, treasure, and talent in these past four and a half years almost, especially our Partners and Monthly Donors.

I am deeply grateful for you!

Keep growing,

Mark Peiffer, RPO

Operations Manager

www.communitymarketsinc.org

Mobile: 703-789-1879

mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org

CMI’s Impact

In almost three years, CMI has has fed over 14,000 people in 11 WV counties with 162,000 lbs. of healthy & locally-sourced food and put $420,000 back into farmers‘ and small family business owners’ pockets.

$22,000 was paid out to farmers in July alone!!

July Highlights

CMI fed 150 families with Independent Bible Church near Hedgesville, WV at last month’s Food Box Giveaway. Thank you to the volunteers, donors and partners who make possible our continuing to feed food insecure families with healthy, WV-grown food!

Grateful for our Partners! CMI was blessed to attend United Way of the Eastern Panhandle’s Annual Celebration to recap the year and look ahead to our next year of impact together. Pictured below from L to R: Maria Resendiz, CMI’s Development Manager, Penny Porter, UWEP Executive Director, and Mark Peiffer, CMI’s Operations Manager.

CMI simply wouldn’t exist without the support and collaboration of our partners. Thank You!!

See all of CMI’s partners HERE.

Looking Ahead

Welcome Back AmeriCorps VISTAs! We’re happy to welcome back Nick Langan and Chris Hozdic to the CMI Team to finish serving their AmeriCorps VISTA Term of Service! Nick will continue in his Communications Specialist role and Chris will offer logistical and program support as Mobile Market Coordinator. Join us at an upcoming CMI Event like our weekly St. Isidore Market and welcome them back!

Potomac Bends Market coming to Paw Paw! Our Mobile Markets Team is excited to announce a new mobile farmers market coming to Paw Paw, WV on Friday, August 22nd, Potomac Bends Market! This Market will run on select Fridays from August 22nd through October from 4:30-6:00 pm at the Town Park 65 Henry Miller Blvd in Paw Paw! More details to come, including a list of participating vendors and a website to place your pre order for pick up on August 22nd!

Have local food to sell? Want to volunteer to make Potomac Bends Market a success? Contact Mark Peiffer today HERE!

Speaking of Mobile Markets…

The St. Isidore Market in Charles Town is thriving! Order your local, healthy food by noon on the Tuesday before the market and pick your order up with no hassle!

SNAP EBT accepted at the St. Isidore Market!

Shop Local & Affordable Groceries Now

Ready to increase health and wellness for every West Virginian with West Virginian Grown Food?

Become a Monthly Donor today!

Donate

Like Community Markets Inc. & St. Isidore Market on Facebook

Feed Hungry Families. Support our Farmers. Increase Local Food Access.

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.