Growing Wealth & Wellness in West Virginia with WV-grown Food
www.communitymarketsinc.org
July News: Consistent Impact Amidst Ongoing Change
As CMI’s Team fluctuates over the summer with interns and part time team members coming and going, what remains constant is the need to feed food insecure families in West Virginia with healthy & affordable WV-grown food.
What also remains constant is the fact that without your support – yes YOU reading this – the impact that you’ll read about below wouldn’t exist. Please join the growing number of Monthly Donors who recognize the importance of keeping food grown locally and accessible to everyone in our community, especially the underserved and impoverished.
Become a Monthly Donor Today!
Keep Growing,
Mark Peiffer, RPO
Operations Manager
www.communitymarketsinc.org
Mobile: 703-789-1879
mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org
CMI’s Impact
In June, CMI fed hundreds of food insecure families and flood victims with 15,000 lbs. of healthy food and paid out local producers $31,000. CMI also partnered with other local organizations in Ohio County.
In over two & a half years, Community Markets Inc. has fed over 13,700 people in 11 WV counties with 157,000 lbs. of locally-sourced food and put $398,000 back into farmers and small family business owners’ pockets.
June Highlights
- Presenting & Award. Mark was on a panel at the Try This West Virginia Help the Helpers Conference in Buckhannon, WV. Community Markets Inc. was also recognized for the second year in a row at the Celebrating Healthy West Virginia Awards Dinner.
- Watch CMI Radio Interview! Mark spoke on local radio station WRNR last month about the work of Community Markets Inc. Click the image below for the link to the video.
- Summer Festivals. CMI is grateful to Shepherdstown Street Fest and the Ranson Car Show organizers for allowing us to set up a table & share more about our mission to the community! Thank you to everyone that stopped by our table during both events!
- Food “Relief Convoy”. CMI partnered with Shepherdstown Shares, Saint James the Greater Roman Catholic Church’s Simon of Cyrene Trucking, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Highmark Foundation, and others to deliver over 10,000 lbs. of locally-sourced food as well as some cleaning supplies to the flood victims in need in West Virginia’s northern panhandle. See CMI’s article and Herald-Mail Media’s article for additional information. Another food delivery is planned soon!
Please Donate to help Flood Victims!
CMI started at St. James in Charles Town, WV with two trailers and a box truck.
Over 10,000 lbs. of locally sourced fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and other staple foods were delivered to food pantries and soup kitchens in Ohio County to feed Northern Panhandle flood victims without homes and power.
CMI partnered with St. James Catholic Church, Shepherdstown Shares, Catholic Charities of West Virginia, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and others to deliver much-needed food and supplies from the Eastern Panhandle to the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.
- INTERN WITH COMMUNITY MARKETS INC.! We welcomed Anna Recinos, an IT intern from Blue Ridge Community & Technical College, who joined us for the summer. Thank you so much for joining us, Anna, and supporting our mission!
Want to make a difference in your community and learn the ins and outs of a growing nonprofit organization?
Contact Operations Manager Mark Peiffer today to learn about our many internship opportunities including: Market Operations, Retail, Logistics, Office Administration, Marketing, Communications, Community Outreach, & more!
CMI’s Team Moving Forward
*Our Team continues to expand and shift!*
On July 1st, we welcomed Shannon Griffin, who will be taking over the position of Mobile Market Coordinator. Welcome Shannon!
We are sad to share that Abigail McBee, our outreach specialist, will be moving on to other opportunities at the end of the month, but we are so grateful for your time and positive contributions to CMI. Thank you Abby!
CMI In the News
Read through Washington Monthly’s July article about the impact of Americorps to see a shoutout to Mark Peiffer and CMI!
The Spirit of Jefferson recognized the work and impact of Americorps on Community Markets Inc. in a May article.
See an April article from The Shepherdstown Chronicle highlighting CMI’s move to a new office space.
Upcoming Events
Our next Food Box Giveaway will take place on July 29th at 12:00 pm at Independent Bible Church in Martinsburg, WV.
Volunteers are needed to pick up food and cardboard boxes, break down larger quantities of food into family-sized portions, move donated food from storage to giveaway location, sort food into boxes, and load boxes into cars. Please reach out to us if you would like to help!
SNAP EBT accepted at the St. Isidore Market!
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