A GIVING HEART — Tommy Charnie, a junior at Kent State University, is raising funds for the Weirton Community Bread Basket, aiming for a new building.
WEIRTON — Some folks volunteer occasionally. Others dedicate their lives to helping out. Tommy Charnie is one of those people.
Tommy’s journey started in grade school. Alongside his mother, Marilyn, he began volunteering at the Community Bread Basket in Weirton. Their commitment didn’t waver as he grew up, even during his senior year at Brooke High School when Marilyn joined the board.
Tommy and his mother recognized the vital role the Community Bread Basket plays in West Virginia and eagerly wanted to contribute.
Recently, the organization has been looking for a permanent home to better serve the community. Currently, they’re located on two floors, but a single-story building with dedicated parking would be ideal. The present location at 3501 West St. has served them well, as Marilyn shared, but they see the need to upgrade.
“We want to express our gratitude to the current landlord,” Tommy noted. “His support has been invaluable for us.”
This fundraising effort is underway as Tommy continues to study architecture at Kent State, even while studying abroad in Italy. A key part of this effort is the annual Food-less Food Fest, which encourages people to donate instead of buying a meal or attending a fancy event.
To participate, donors can choose from several levels of giving:
- The Helper: $10
- The Friend: $25
- The Volunteer: $50
- The Citizen: $100
- The Community Leader: $250
- The Professional: $500
- The Corporate: $1,000
Donations are tax-deductible.
During high school, Tommy raised funds as part of a senior project, including $11,100 that was matched by the Greek Catholic Union. He organized raffles with valuable prizes to encourage donations. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued volunteering, raising about $2,500.
In September 2022, he also assisted in relocating Ukrainian refugees to Weirton and donated $13,000 from his fundraising efforts for that cause.
The Community Bread Basket, founded in 2003 by local churches and organizations, aims to support those in need by providing food, clothing, and counseling. Their mission focuses on maintaining the dignity of individuals while helping them become self-sufficient.
Volunteers from local congregations operate the pantry, which stocks supplies through community contributions and purchases from the Mountaineer Food Bank.
The pantry operates every Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Clients are encouraged to visit once a month unless it’s an emergency. Identification and proof of residence are required.
The income guidelines vary by household size, starting with a maximum of $1,180 for one person up to $4,077 for eight.
For assistance or more information, people can contact the bread basket directly at (304) 748-7595 or via email at bread_basket03@yahoo.com.
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