UFO food distribution starts early this year

A Kanawha Valley organization that typically distributes food to a dozen area pantries during the winter months will start that work early this year in response to increased need. 

United Food Operations, an organization founded in 1981 by representatives of West Virginia labor unions, will partner with South Charleston plastics manufacturer Covestro to make an emergency food distribution to its 12 participating pantries on Friday morning at its Institute warehouse. 

The organization usually contributes to 12 independent food pantries in Kanawha and Putnam counties beginning each January through April.

“Because the need is extraordinary — the economy is worsening and food and utility prices keep rising — we felt this is urgent,” UFO Chair Elaine Harris said in a news release. “Once again, our sponsors and volunteers are stepping up to take action.”

Harris said Covestro reached out to UFO with the idea to do an emergency distribution.

Earlier this month, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps feed more than 275,000 West Virginians, was delayed two weeks during the federal government shutdown that also left thousands of federal workers in the state without a paycheck. The state of West Virginia contributed about $13 million to West Virginia food banks during the delay to help meet the increase in demand. 

Harris said the organization’s contribution to food pantries is not as big as it once was because the cost of food has increased. 

“We had volunteers down there [Thursday] morning putting the food on the pallets. And I’ll tell you, food on the pallets doesn’t look as great as it once did because of the cost of food,” Harris said. “So we’re getting it out. The pallets aren’t as high as I’d like for them to be. But we’re doing what we can do.”

United Food Operations was founded more than 40 years ago by union representatives under the West Virginia ALF-CIO umbrella. The organization is run by volunteers on voluntary contributions from employees and employers, area businesses and government. 

People can contribute to the organization at its website, unitedfoodoperation.org or by mail at Post Office Box 20441, Charleston, W.Va. 25362. Through Dec. 1, all locations of Green’s Feed and Seed are collecting food items for the organizations as well.

“There’s different ways that people can give, and if people want to volunteer, we love volunteers,” Harris said. “Our organization is 100% volunteer[-run]. Everything we bring in goes back out. Any money, it goes back out in the form of food, or if people want to donate food.”