For many years, Americans Helping Americans® has supplied our partner in McDowell County, WV, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA) with food boxes, along with cash grants for programs including holiday food, home repairs, summer camps, and more.
“We are very fortunate that many of BCPIA’s programs fit with Americans Helping Americans® funding priority areas,” states BCPIA executive director Dyanne Spriggs. “The services we provide under these programs are a vital part of what we do to serve the people of McDowell County.”
“We receive prepared food boxes from Americans Helping Americans® several times a year that are distributed to families in the county,” noted Dyanne, who added, however, what was lacking was BCPIA’s ability to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh meats such as chicken and hamburger.
“When we have the funding, we purchase these products at Walmart or our local grocery store to supplement the food we give out.”
But that was before an Americans Helping Americans® staff member visited BCPIA last summer and noted that the refrigerators and freezers in its family food pantry were practically bare.
The staff member asked her if a $1,000 monthly grant would help, and Dyanne said it would make a huge difference in the diets and lives of hundreds. However, she added that she had already submitted her grant request to Americans Helping Americans® for 2026.
The staff member encouraged Dyanne to reach out to Americans Helping Americans® executive director Cameron Krizek and see if grant support for fresh produce and meats from Americans Helping Americans® might be possible.
“Many families around here don’t put fresh fruits and vegetables as a priority in their children’s diet,” Dyanne told us. “It is our hope that the kids will more often choose fresh produce at the store instead of chips and candy.
“We feel anything we can do to expand the amount and variety of foods we can give families will help.
“Access to nutritious food is a basic human right, and everyone has the right to be free from hunger.”
“We reach a lot of people in the county through different programs, but increasing their access to healthy foods will help to fill the nutrition gap and make sure children get the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy and reach their full potential in life.”
“Because of high unemployment, lack of transportation, and limited selection of stores in the area that sell food, our organization has become vital to providing concrete steps to our families.
“A lot of families won’t spend their own money or food stamps for fresh meats and produce.
“Providing these to families will improve their diet and address the debilitating effects of food insecurities.”
“Funding for our food program from Americans Helping Americans® will help us bridge the gap between those in need of food and the resources needed to meet those critical community needs.”
After her additional grant request was approved by Cameron, this year the $12,000 grant for BCPIA’s fresh produce and meat distribution for 2026 will benefit an estimated 400 individuals from 280 households, according to Dyanne.
