The House of the Carpenter invites everyone to participate in their  Second Annual “Step Out Against Hunger” Walk starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

The 2.5-mile Hunger Walk is meant to bring awareness about food insecurity in our community and to raise funds for House of the Carpenter programming.

Walk Details

8 a.m.: Registration at the starting line at The House of the Carpenter on Wheeling Island

9 a.m.: Walk begins.

• Medals awarded to all finishers!
• Sponsorship spots are still available!
• We need your support!

The Walk begins at the House of the Carpenter (HoC), continues across the historic Suspension Bridge, down Main Street and returns via  Chapline Street to HoC.

Call to register: (304) 233-4640 or register at HoC on the day of the Walk.

Address: 200 S. Front Street, next to the historic Suspension Bridge on Wheeling Island.

Hunger in West Virginia

Many people don’t know that individuals and families in our own community are going hungry. West Virginia has a child food insecurity rate of 17.3%, which ranks #8 highest in the United States. Some 217,690 people in our state are facing hunger, including 63,070 children. That means one out of every six children in West Virginia is going to bed hungry, Feeding America reported.

Ohio County has a child food insecurity rate of 16.3%, meaning some 1,310 children are facing hunger. This is 0.2% higher than the national average. The total food insecurity rate in Ohio County is 11.9% or 5,000 persons in total, some 0.1% higher than the national average. The annual food budget shortfall for families in hunger is $2,662,000.

Food prices went up more than 11% between January 2022 and January 2023, with eggs 70% more expensive than they were last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

• Food insecurity can cause serious health issues when people have to choose between spending money on food and medicine or healthcare
• Food insecurity can make it more difficult for a child to learn and grow
• Food insecurity can lead to difficult decisions like choosing between food and rent, bills, and transportation

Register Now

Food Pantry

The House of the Carpenter’s Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3pm, and Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 pm.

All are welcome and may receive food once every 60 days upon providing proof of address, ID and social security cards.

Upcoming House of the Carpenter Programming

STEM Camp

Spring Break STEM Camp “Conduction Junction” will be April 3-6 for 5th and 6th graders in the area. Please contact our Education Coordinator, Mary Goddard, for more information about future STEM camps.

Kids in the Kitchen

April 22, in coordination with the Junior League of Wheeling – The women of the Junior League prepare a cookbook of simple meals that children aged 6 years to 12 years old can create. The women walk the children through the preparation from beginning to end allowing the children to do hands-on preparation. The children learn kitchen and food safety, knife skills, and food preparation. The children are then able to sample foods they have created.  Children receive a gift that can be taken home to start their new culinary adventure.