Why We Exist

The Blackwater Ministerial Association, Inc. (BMA) is a West Virginia non-profit public benefit corporation and is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code.

Our Mission is providing food and other community services to those in need.

Our History

The Blackwater Ministerial Association Food Pantry was organized in 1979 by the Presbyterian Church located in Thomas, WV.

Following the flood of 1985, the services of the food pantry expanded and relocated to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Davis. Upon outgrowing that space, a local dentist generously allowed the food pantry to utilize a building rent-free on the main street of Davis, WV where it operated from 2011 through 2022.

In 2022 the Blackwater Ministerial Association was notified that the building was to be sold and the Food Pantry would need to relocate. The BMA Board of Directors began a search for a permanent building site.

That effort extended to a request to the Wheeling-Charleston Catholic Diocese to lease a parcel of land adjacent to Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Thomas. In the fall of 2023, an agreement was reached, and fundraising efforts began.
Community support was strong, and word spread quickly. Later that fall, BMA received notification of a Directed Congressional Spending Grant from Senator Joe Manchin’s office for construction of the building. The grant required BMA to raise matching funds before construction could begin.

The new permanent home for the BMA Food Pantry construction started in the Fall of 2024. The site was cleared, footers dug, and the floor poured and finished before winter set in.

Construction will restart in the spring and BMA Food Pantry will be opening early summer 2025 at 374 Quail Ridge Road, Thomas, WV.

Our Team

Strong. Committed. Passionate.

More than 25 volunteers assist with the monthly distribution of perishable and non-perishable foods. Throughout each month, there is on-going activity soliciting donations of food and funds. To volunteer or receive more information on how you can support our effort, contact blackwaterministerial@gmail.com or (304) 259-5635.

The faces of the Blackwater Ministerial Association Food Pantry are well known in our community. These members donate countless hours of time and energy to the good of the organization and those who benefit.

Meet our Board→

Meet our Volunteers→

Volunteers who assist with monthly food distribution; organize, prepare and deliver holiday dinners; and provide other services for those in need gather on the future site of the Blackwater Ministerial Association Food Pantry.

Once funding is secured and construction completed, the BMA Food Pantry will be located on the corner of 2^nd Street and Quail Ridge Road in Thomas, WV, adjacent to Mt. Calvery Cemetery.

Impact

With an aging population and unpredictable economic cycles, the food pantry has grown from initially serving 12 families to now serving more than 80 families. In 2023 we delivered some 60,000+ pounds of food to people in need. We are on track to exceed that amount of food this year. We also provide additional food support at the Thanksgiving Community Dinner and delivery of Christmas food boxes.

For more than 40 years the BMA has proudly functioned as an all-volunteer organization. Volunteers travel to pick up food, store/stock food, prepare and package food for distribution. The monetary value of the volunteer hours is almost $54,000 annually.

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