Following on the heels of the annual Membership Meeting held on Nov. 16, the December board meeting of the Weirton Community Bread Basket reviewed the approved priorities and the budget for the coming year.
The Rev. Frank Milanese, of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church and the new president of the Community Bread Basket, said he looks forward to the coming year with enthusiasm.
"We recently approved a budget of over $250,000 and plan to expand the mission of the Bread Basket. We want to better coordinate the needs of the people in our area and are embracing this opportunity to grow."
The mission statement of the Community Bread Basket states, "The purpose of the Community Bread Basket is to provide resources and services for the basic needs of life to those in need, including clothing, food and counseling through a cooperative effort of people and organizations in our community."
Milanese adds, "Working towards satisfying the requirements of this mission statement encourages us to gain friendships and alliances with other organizations and invite them to this table (with the CBB Board), along with local government and other social service agencies. Currently we are a grassroots group that would like to move forward to an official coalition."
The tax exempt, not-for-profit Community Bread Basket has been incorporated since February 2008. The 10-member covenant churches of the Community Bread Basket are (in alphabetical order) All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Cove Presbyterian Church, Weirton Covenant Church, First United Methodist Church, Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church and Tri-State Church of God.
"With the election of the new officers and appointments of the new board of directors, we are in the position to not only give (executive director Tara Sheperd) the support she needs, but to expand other projects as well," said Milanese.
Officers of the 501-3-c are the Rev. Larry Dorsch, St. Paul Catholic Church, president emeritus; the Rev. Frank Milanese, president, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church; the Rev. J.D. Wall, vice president, Tri-State Church of God; Bob Wirgau, treasurer, Weirton Seventh Day Adventist; and Jim Pauchnik, secretary, Sacred Heart of Mary.
Newly elected members of the board of directors are Mike Smith, Bob Johnson, Bernadette Kester, Sandy Mott, the Rev. Robert Michael, Yonnie Michael, Tom Hagg, the Rev. Chuck Jerman, Sally Frantz and Gloria Foster and Pat Cotherman.
"In 2009 the primary role of the Community Bread Basket was to provide food to the hungry and utility assistance to the needy; but further assistance was limited by available funding. Because of our incorporation we qualify for federal assistance and gives us greater outreach for future grant opportunities," said Milanese.
He added, "We want to clear up the confusion and disillusionment - the money that the Bread Basket is spending and the support that it is providing is for the residents of Hancock and Brooke counties. We work collaboratively with The Salvation Army and CHANGE, Inc. for both community food and utility support."
The Bread Basket purchases food from the Mountaineer Food Bank (not associated with Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort) and receives monthly shipments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The covenant churches contribute food, and contributions also come from private donors.
Dorsch, said, "Working with the Community Bread Basket has been an amazing experience with the corps of volunteers. Packing the baskets is like working on a production line. Today we are receiving 7,332 pounds of food, part of our pre-Christmas preparations."
He added, "Sitting around this table with men and women of different faiths working together on the same mission, to help those less fortunate, what a blessing."
The Community Bread Basket is a United Way Agency and received an allocation of $15,000 in 2009.
The Community Bread Basket offers a last-minute Christmas gift suggestion for that person who has everything - make a tax-deductible donation in their honor to the Community Bread Basket. Donations cards are available and each dollar received helps further the work of the Bread Basket.
Milanese also announced, "In the coming year, the Weirton Heights Rotary has named the Community Bread Basket its sole benefactor of the proceeds of its annual Mardi Gras fundraiser."
Board member Jim Pauchnik said, "The Community Bread Basket is seeking more member churches to increase our base and to further facilitate the families we serve."
The Community Bread Basket is located at 3501 West St. in Weirton and is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Distribution of food is on Friday mornings from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
Contact Sheperd at (304) 748-7595.
(Winkler can be contacted at lwinkler@weirtondailytimes.com)
