Inside a WV Food Pantry: Scott’s Run Settlement House

Food pantries are a popularly sought out alternative in West Virginia’s food system, as well as throughout the United States. At Scott’s Run Settlement House (SRSH) food pantry in Osage, WV, case manager Deb Layman, works her hardest to make sure that anyone who walks through the door leaves not only with food supplies, but support and encouragement, as well.

Layman has made it her mission to provide as much as she can to the individuals and families who come her way, despite limitations like U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.

“I’ve seen a lot of moms that skip meals for their kids,” said Layman. “We’re one of eleven pantries, but other pantries are a little more restrictive. Like they won’t give to people outside of the county limits or they’ll only give you a day’s worth of food.”

Layman believes a gentle approach to clients is critical, articulating the need to create a comfortable atmosphere at SRSH.

“There’s an issue with pride,” said Layman, when asked why a person might hesitate to seek assistance. “It’s shame inducing to walk into a food pantry for the first time and ask for help. Some clients have disclosed to me that they cannot read or write and therefore can’t fill out the paperwork.”

For West Virginia resident, Becky Menear, coming to Scott’s Run Settlement House has become part of her routine. She’s been a client for five years.

“When you don’t have any money and you don’t have anyone to buy food for you, where else are you going to go?” said Menear.

Menear often gets turned away from other food pantries in the area because her income is too high. She believes the system that makes these regulations is missing huge aspects of everyday life.

“They say I make too much money, but after I pay all my bills there’s not much money left to buy food for the house,” said Menear.

Layman pointed out that many families or individuals with low income find it hard to secure transportation, an important aspect that SNAP regulations don’t take into account.

“Transportation is a major barrier,” Layman said. “Some of these people have to spend $20 on a taxi just to get to a grocery store. It’s a vicious cycle.”

The operations of a food pantry aren’t as simple as they may seem. Layman and her colleagues use what they refer to as a “USDA cheat sheet,” which tells them how much of an item a family can receive. A family of seven, for example, receives three can portions of veggies and soups, a jar of jelly, a package of spaghetti, and three different types of bread, among other items. The pantry strives to give their clients as much variety as possible.

According to Layman, clients are allowed to come once every 42 days and are given one to two weeks’ worth of food in that trip, accounting only for one-sixth of groceries needed.

“It’s an assistance program that isn’t meant to take place of an entire family’s needs,” Layman said. “So, families sometimes use a hodgepodge of assistance. “They’ll use food pantries, SNAP, WIC, and other means… It’s a system with problems, but it’s a system.”

USDA assistance services like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have some pretty hefty regulations of their own, requiring persons of 18 years or older to work for their benefits and restricting some convicted felons, to name a few. For Menear, SNAP assistance just doesn’t cut it.

“I had it one time,” said Menear regarding SNAP, “That one time I was only getting $16 in food stamps.”

For Layman, the most significant part of her job is understanding the client’s situation, and being able to provide them what they need.

“It’s about setting people at ease, learning their stories and trying to understand how they got here,” said Layman. “I mean, we’ve all been here. I even came here once. I had a lot of help, so if I can help them by giving them some food, then heck yes.”