Shepherdstown Shares Triumphs: New Grant Writer Secures $14K for Emergency Food Funds!

The Posey Grant will provide funds for protein and produce for Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry’s clients. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — After years of serving nonprofits in Washington, D.C., Julie Reynes retired in January 2024 and moved to Shepherdstown. Although she was enjoying her retirement, Julie couldn’t ignore the needs of her new community.

Upon discovering Shepherdstown Shares and its food pantry, she realized she had the skills to make a difference. “I just thought I’d share my skills!” she said, reflecting on her extensive experience in nonprofit management.

One of Julie’s standout skills is grant writing, and she quickly got to work. Her efforts recently led to an impressive grant for Shepherdstown Shares. “We just received a check, a grant, for over $14 grand from Mountaineer Food Bank!” Mark Kohut, the treasurer, announced excitedly.

This significant funding came from the Posey Perry Emergency Food Funds, allocated last summer to assist food banks across West Virginia. For the second consecutive year, state lawmakers approved millions to support food assistance programs. This was the first time a grant of this kind had been awarded to a Shepherdstown organization.

The funds arrived at the end of January, and on January 28, Julie joined outgoing director Cari Simon and incoming director Janelle Hoover to deposit the $14,305 check at Jefferson Security Bank.

“We just got a huge grant, thanks to our grant writer, Julie. She helped me tremendously!” Simon said, praising Julie’s expertise. “This is a substantial amount for us. But we still need everything else from the community. We don’t want people to stop giving because of this big grant.”

Simon emphasized that these funds will be particularly beneficial in the winter months when the cost of fresh produce rises. “We can buy fresh produce and more milk and more meat and more eggs — eggs are especially expensive right now!” she added, highlighting the importance of these resources.

As Simon prepares to leave her role, she feels confident that the pantry will continue to provide healthy options to those in need, largely thanks to Julie’s contributions as the organization’s first volunteer grant writer.