Community Bread Basket welcomes guests to new location
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WEIRTON - Officials, volunteers and more are celebrating what some are considering a miracle for the Community Bread Basket.
"It was a dream I had that came true," Marilyn Charnie, president of the board of directors, explained in welcoming the crowd gathered for a grand opening at the local non-profit's new location at 3265 Main St., Monday afternoon.
The Community Bread Basket, which operates a food pantry and other programs for the Weirton community, has experienced numerous ups and downs in recent years, being forced to move out of its long-time home on West Street because of the structural condition of the building, being provided with a temporary home along Pennsylvania Avenue for the last two years, and, finally, being able to move in to what officials hope will serve as the base of operations for many years to come.
In December, the Community Bread Basket announced its plans to move to the former WesBanco Bank branch office in Weirton's downtown after it had been purchased by city natives Bill and Nena Beynon and gifted to them.
The Beynons, who now live in Naples, Fla., were in attendance at Monday's ribbon cutting, with Bill noting they are involved in food programs in the Sunshine State, and understand the impact such efforts have on a community.
The gift of the building won't be the last amount of support they provide the Bread Basket, either, pledging Monday to provide an additional $25,000 to assist in filling the food pantry.
"This is a beginning," he said.
Charnie noted the Rev. Larry Dorsch, also in attendance Monday, was among those originally involved in founding the Community Bread Basket more than 20 years ago.
"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have the Community Bread Basket," she said, explaining Dorsch still volunteers with the food bank every Friday.
Dorsch, citing the parable of the loaves and fishes, said he continues to be amazed by the impact the Bread Basket has had in Weirton.
"Jesus fed 5,000," Dorsch said. "The Weirton miracle is that the Community Bread Basket has fed 96,431 so far."
He explained the effort began when representatives of local churches decided to come together for a common cause, offering credit to the work of the Rev. Frank Milanese, previously of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, and the Rev. Chuck German, formerly of the First United Methodist Church, as well as former executive director Tara Shepherd.
He also offered thanks to local businesses - such as Shop 'n Save, Kroger, Walmart, and others - for donations of food and other support, to Dan Spanovich, for allowing the use of the Pennsylvania Avenue space, and the numerous volunteers who have given of their time over the years.
"Now we have this incredible space," Dorsch said, thanking the Beynons.
The Community Bread Basket serves approximately 70 families each week, with Dorsch saying that while child poverty in the area has been reduced by 27 percent in the last two decades, there are still approximately 19 percent of area youth in food insecurity, as well as 11 percent of local senior citizens.
Officials note the new location will allow more room for improved food storage, enhanced distribution capabilities, growth for volunteer operations and opportunities to expand the organization’s programs.