By Philip Phi
Posted Aug 19, 2026 at 3:45 AM
In Logan County, Nighbert Memorial United Methodist Church continues its vital food distribution efforts despite facing challenges. For nearly two decades, the church has been a cornerstone in supporting the community through its food pantry, which operates on a weekly basis and holds a drive-thru distribution every third Monday.
The church’s recent food distribution event was a testament to the power of community collaboration. Volunteers from Nighbert Memorial, Facing Hunger Foodbank, the local recovery community, and U.S. Senator Jim Justice’s office came together to serve approximately 250 households. This distribution saw an impressive turnout, exceeding the typical 5,000 to 7,000 pounds of food distributed, highlighting the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.
Facing Hunger Foodbank CEO Cindy Kirkhart praised Nighbert Memorial for its longstanding partnership and dedication to going beyond traditional pantry services by providing both food and community meals. This initiative is particularly impactful in Logan County, where such support is crucial.
Senator Jim Justice, who has a personal connection to the area through his uncle, Posey Perry, a volunteer at Huff Creek Food Pantry, emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing community needs. His participation in the distribution, along with his team, underscores his ongoing commitment to food security in West Virginia, a commitment he began during his tenure as governor by including food banks in the state budget.
Despite the challenges posed by declining church membership, Nighbert Memorial’s mission thrives, buoyed by the dedication of volunteers. These volunteers, including members of the recovery community, Facing Hunger employees, and high school students, embody the spirit of neighbor-love, a principle echoed in Matthew 25:35, which calls for feeding the hungry. Their commitment ensures that the pantry’s mission continues, serving as a beacon of hope and support for the community.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
