Dr. Michelle Foster
President and CEO
TGKVF remains committed to building a future where food insecurity is not the reality for one in five children, but a challenge we overcame together.
We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of our anonymous donor, whose singular commitment is changing lives every day. Together, we can transform hunger from a daily struggle into a solved problem.
Food insecurity continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing our region,
and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) is deeply committed to addressing it.
The USDA defines food security as the condition in which households have
consistent and dependable access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It is
measured in four categories:
- High Food Security – No food-access problems
- Marginal Food Security – Some concern, but no significant diet change
- Low Food Security – Reduced quality or variety of diet
- Very Low Food Security – Disrupted eating patterns and reduced intake
Across West Virginia, nearly 278,000 residents—including 71,000 children—do not have consistent access to nutritious food. In our six-county service area, the numbers are equally stark:
- 1 in 6 people go hungry across our state
- 1 in 5 children face daily food insecurity
- Clay County has the highest food insecurity rate at 20.2% in
our footprint, which includes Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and
Putnam Counties. - Kanawha County has the largest number of food-insecure residents—27,740 people, more than half of the total across our footprint
Behind these statistics are deeply human stories.
At Dunbar Intermediate School, a young boy stopped a volunteer to ask if he could receive one of the food backpacks provided for weekends. When asked why, he replied simply: “Because I get REALLY hungry when I go home.” His words capture the urgency of this issue—hunger is not abstract, it is daily and immediate.
Then there is Oscar, a 64-year-old grandfather raising his two young grandchildren in Charleston. On a limited income, he relies on daily meals from Manna Meal and pantry bags to help feed his family. “It is hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables,” he shared. “I could go without them, but not my growing grandchildren.” Thanks to community support, Oscar doesn’t have to make that choice.
Transformative Gifts from One Visionary Donor
The progress we’ve made in combating hunger is possible because of the extraordinary generosity of one anonymous donor. Since 2017, this donor has entrusted TGKVF to steward their philanthropy, powering 90 grants totaling $2.43 million across 43 organizations that had more than 219,000 interactions with people in Boone,
Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam Counties.
This year, that same donor deepened their commitment by establishing TGKVF’s first
Individually Managed Fund (IMF)—a groundbreaking investment tool that allows for flexible, values-driven philanthropy. By choosing to focus this fund on food security, our donor ensured that local nonprofits have the resources to:
- Sustain backpack and school-based food programs for children.
- Expand mobile pantries to rural communities and food deserts.
- Support emergency meal programs and hot meal services.
- Pilot innovative solutions such as community gardens and neighborhood food hubs.
Why This Matters Now
Federal nutrition programs like SNAP remain under threat, leaving many families at risk of deeper hunger. In fact, nearly half of individuals experiencing food insecurity do not qualify for SNAP, and those who do often face barriers in accessing benefits. At such a critical moment, this donor’s gift fills both the resource gap and the innovation
gap—strengthening local organizations and fueling creative, community-driven responses to hunger.
A Community-Wide Impact
The ripple effects of this investment are profound. Children like the boy at Dunbar Intermediate can count on meals through the weekend. Grandparents like Oscar can keep their families stable without sacrificing nutrition. Families across six counties are nourished not only with food, but with dignity and compassion.
Looking Ahead
TGKVF remains committed to building a future where food insecurity is not the reality for one in five children, but a challenge we overcame together. With the continued leadership of visionary donors, the dedication of nonprofits, and the collective strength of our community, we can ensure that hunger no longer defines life in our region.
