MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A solution appears to be in the works to bring the longest federal government shutdown in history to an end.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Delegate David McCormick, R, Monongalia, 82, said he will provide 100 turkeys to families affected by the stoppage of food benefits or federal workers who have not been paid over the last 40 days.
“With SNAP benefits being temporarily cut off and government workers not getting paid, we decided to go out and buy 100 turkeys to try to help some folks through the holidays,” McCormick said.
The distribution is being done through the Scott’s Run Settlement House on Fairchance Road in the Cheat Lake area. Residents who have temporarily lost SNAP benefits or federal workers that have not been paid due to the government shutdown are eligible for the program that runs through Wednesday, November 12, 2025, only.
“You go to Scott’s Run Settlement House, show your SNAP or government ID, get a coupon, and take it to the Price Cutter in the Glenmark Center. Go to the Customer Service Desk, and they will get you a turkey,” McCormick said.
McCormick said as he watched average people being affected by the federal government shutdown, he wanted to act. He’s calling on others in the community to do what they can to ease food insecurity issues any way they can.
“When people aren’t able to buy food, that’s a pretty nonpartisan issue in my book,” McCormick said. “So, I would challenge anyone to help or donate to any of our food pantries, Mountaineer Food Bank, Scotts Run Settlement House, or anywhere in Mon County.”
The food banks, nonprofits, and the church community are working together to meet the growing need. Some agencies have reported a more than 50 percent increase in requests for food since the middle of October.
“We’ve got a pretty resilient population in our state,” McCormick said. “They’re pretty tough people, and they’re generous—people that can’t afford it give what they can and help.”