WHEELING, W.Va. — The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) has awarded the second round of grants from its Food Security Fund, distributing $29,900 to six nonprofit organizations working to combat hunger and improve access to nutritious food across the Upper Ohio Valley.

This round of funding continues CFOV’s commitment to addressing food insecurity throughout its eight-county service area: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia, and Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio. Grants support local nonprofits providing direct food assistance, including food pantries, backpack programs, mobile food distributions, and other initiatives that expand access to fresh, healthy options such as meat, dairy, and produce.

Launched in 2025 with an initial commitment of $100,000, the Food Security Fund was created to provide responsive, flexible resources to organizations meeting urgent and ongoing food needs in their communities.

“Food insecurity continues to impact families in every corner of our region,” says Executive Director of CFOV Susie Nelson. “This second round of grants reflects both the ongoing need and the incredible work our nonprofit partners are doing every day to ensure their neighbors have access to nutritious food. We are grateful to the donors who make this fund possible and proud to support organizations that are stepping up to meet these challenges with compassion and determination.”

2026 Food Security Fund – Second Round Grant Recipients:

• Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network- Northern Panhandle Parents as Teachers – Brooke Hancock Fresh Food Initiative – $5,000.00
• Glen Dale United Methodist Church – Fresh Fuel for Glen Dale Dragons – $4,900.00
• Marshall County Schools – Helping Hands Food Assistance – $5,000.00
• Salvation Army – Belmont County, OH – The Salvation Army Food Pantry – $5,000.00
• The Center for Children and Families – Closing the Gap: Supplemental Food Security Project – $5,000.00
• WVNCC Foundation – WVNCC Chicken Coop Food Pantries – $5,000.00

TOTAL AWARDED: $29,900.00

Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges facing families across the Ohio Valley. Rising grocery costs, transportation barriers, and gaps in federal assistance programs continue to strain household budgets. Through the Food Security Fund, CFOV works to help bridge that gap, particularly for individuals and families who may not qualify for traditional nutrition programs but still struggle to consistently access healthy food.