WHEELING, W.Va. – As food insecurity continues to grow across the nation and Upper Ohio Valley, the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) is stepping up to meet the challenge. CFOV is proud to announce the launch of its new Food Security Fund, a new resource created to support nonprofit organizations working to ensure individuals and families across the region have consistent access to healthy, adequate food. With an initial commitment of $100,000, the all-spendable Food Security Fund will make grants to nonprofits in CFOV’s eight-county service area: Tyler, Wetzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock counties in West Virginia, and Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio.
In 2022, approximately 1 in 7 residents (14.6%) in the region experienced food insecurity— defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious food. That number has continued to increase, with national trends pointing to rising food costs and stagnant wages making it more difficult for families to put food on the table.
This issue doesn’t affect just those living below the poverty line. In many of the counties CFOV serves, a significant percentage of food-insecure individuals earn too much to qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP or WIC. These families are often forced to make difficult trade-offs between food and other basic needs like housing, healthcare, and transportation. This growing “assistance gap” places additional strain on the local nonprofits that work tirelessly to fill it.
Food insecurity is more than just a food issue—it is a public health crisis. The ripple effects of food insecurity are profound. It contributes to poor health outcomes, including increased rates of chronic disease, as well as developmental and academic challenges for children. It impacts not just individuals, but entire communities.
The Food Security Fund is designed to meet these urgent needs by providing quick, financial support to nonprofits helping families across the region access the food they need to thrive. (i.e. food pantries, afterschool/weekend backpacks, etc.)
CFOV is inviting donors, businesses, and community members to join in growing the fund and expanding its impact. Whether through a one-time gift, an ongoing contribution, or by spreading the word, there are many ways to make a difference.
How can you make a gift today?
- Donate online: Visit www.cfov.org/give and select the Food Security Fund.
- Mail a check: Send to CFOV at 1226 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003. Please include “Food Security Fund” in the memo line.
- Give through assets: Make a gift of stock, a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, or another complex asset. Contact CFOV’s Director of Development & Donor Services, Liz Paulhus, at liz@cfov.org for assistance.
CFOV believes that every person in our region deserves access to healthy, nourishing food. By supporting the Food Security Fund, donors are not only helping to meet an immediate need—they are investing in the well-being and future of our communities.
For more information about the fund or to learn how you can get involved, contact:
Liz Paulhus
Director of Development & Donor Services
Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
liz@cfov.org | 304-242-3144
