In May 2024, the Princeton location of Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) launched the Grab n’ Go Lunch program, thanks to the insight and dedication of Southern Regional Director Matt Atwood and Program Assistant Wendy Wilkerson. Recognizing a critical gap in the community’s access to food, Matt and Wendy stepped up to fill the void left by the local soup kitchen, which couldn’t operate daily.
With a compassionate resolve, they decided to offer bagged lunches every Friday—the day the soup kitchen was closed. The community’s response was overwhelming, with an average of 130 lunches now being distributed each week. Volunteers, including members from the nearby Princeton Sacred Heart Parish, have joined hands with CCWVa staff to support this heartfelt initiative.
“We’re seeing a lot of new faces on Fridays,” Matt Atwood shared. “For some of the people who come for lunch, this is the first time we’ve met them. It’s been wonderful to make new friends and share information about our other programs and services.”
The program pays special attention to the needs of its recipients. Many, including the homeless, receive shelf-stable food items that can be consumed immediately or saved for later. Among the regulars is a grandmother caring for her ten grandchildren, aged 3 to 19. She expressed deep gratitude, saying the lunches significantly ease her financial burden.
Another familiar face is John, who is battling cancer and struggles to leave his home. His friend Diane, who picks up the lunches for him, remarked, “He looks forward to these lunches every week. You guys really brighten his day.”
On some Fridays, there are enough leftover food items to extend their reach even further. Lunches are delivered to Princeton Towers, an apartment complex serving the elderly and disabled, as well as to the dedicated workers at the Princeton Rescue Squad and Mercer County 911 Center, expressing gratitude and support for their invaluable community service.
The Grab n’ Go Lunch program has become more than just a meal distribution initiative; it has woven itself into the fabric of the community, nurturing not only bodies but also souls, one lunch at a time.
