“West Virginians take care of our neighbors,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday. “It’s times like these that we need to come together as Team West Virginia to help those in need.”

He issued the reminder as the state scrambles to prepare for the loss of SNAP benefits to approximately 270,000 Mountain State residents in November, as a result of the federal government shutdown.

Among the solutions coming from Charleston is up to $13 million in funding to match private and charitable donations to food banks. Morrisey says he has also directed the West Virginia National Guard (minus 300 or 400, of course) to help food banks, food pantries and state agencies with logistics and distribution.

“The focus of our work is always our neighbor in need and the most vulnerable populations in our state including children, seniors and veterans,” said Chad Morrison, CEO of Mountaineer Food Bank. “We know many West Virginia families are hurting and struggling and these additional resources will be a catalyst for helping families feel whole.”

Everyone — individuals, businesses, community groups, churches … all of us — can help. One easy way is to donate directly to the Facing Hunger Food Bank or the Mountaineer Food Bank.

“The resources provided will be directed to the purchase and distribution of food, and to our pantry partners for their use to meet the emergency food assistance needs of the communities we collectively serve,” said CEO of Facing Hunger Food Bank Cynthia Kirkhart.

West Virginians specialize in picking up the pieces and taking care of one another when the federal government fails us, it seems.

But while we do that, Morrisey and others in Charleston must put pressure on our representatives in Washington, D.C., to do their jobs — to remember as we do our part, they’ve got to do theirs. They serve US; and voters will remember when they refuse.