Remembering Delegate Kump: One Local Nonprofit Leader Recalls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026
In the past five years of being part of Community Markets Inc., I have met individuals trying to better West Virginia every day: farmers, entrepreneurs, public servants, nonprofit leaders, and many others. One of these people was Delegate Larry Kump.
I met Delegate Kump when I was presenting about my local food-focused nonprofit organization to the Spring Mills Rotary Club. He was very engaged with the presentation, offering comments and asking questions. It was clear to me from this first interaction that Del. Kump cared deeply about supporting West Virginian farmers and helping feed low-income families. The next day, Delegate Kump called me to follow up and offer his support. A few weeks later we held a Food Box Giveaway at Del. Kump’s church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spring Mills. He attended and lent his cheerful presence to the day’s activity of feeding 150 underserved families in the Martinsburg area.
Over the nine or so months we were in touch, he took initiative on multiple occasions to keep up with me and the progress of Community Markets Inc. via phone calls and emails. It was clear the Del. Kump took personal interest in CMI’s mission. He did draw a line in the sand during the legislative session, saying that when in Charleston he had to focus on passing legislation – what he was elected to do!
Delegate Kump was a man of principle and action, not just words. I was very grateful the day I received a call from him saying that he planned to donate his full allotment of LEDA funds to Community Markets Inc. to be able to purchase a refrigerated van. He kept on fighting to better the lives of West Virginians until the day of his death, after which Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw personally saw to it that Del. Kump’s wishes were honored and a full year of his LEDA funds were donated to CMI to further the work of promoting WV-grown food while feeding the Mountain State’s most vulnerable citizens.
I will remember Delegate Kump as a servant leader, one who used his elected position not for personal gain but to better the lives of all West Virginians. I am grateful to have known him for the time that I did. Requiescat in pace, friend! – Mark Peiffer
On Tueday, May 19, 2026, Community Markets Inc. will hold a Food Box Giveaway at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meeting House at 93 Langston Blvd in Martinsburg, feeding 100 food insecure Appalachian families. A brief ceremony is planned for part of the day to honor the late Delegate Larry Kump. Details and RSVP on the Facebook event HERE.
About Community Markets Inc.
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 over three & a half years, Community Markets Inc. has fed over 22,850 people in 12 WV counties with 237,800 lbs. of healthy & locally-sourced food and put over $704,500 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 www.communitymarketsinc.org.