Appalachians At Work

06/11/2025

📌UPDATE! 📌 THE FOOD SUMMIT HAS BEEN POSTPONED!

If you are interested in supporting the planning of the first Food Summit, designed to link schools with locally sourced and procured food, and address the shortfall resulting from Federal Funding Cuts, please join our private Appalachians At Work group to discover how you can participate.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8934790889963840/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

05/21/2025

📣A@W📣
Planning Session
6pm @ HeartHouse

05/18/2025

Just an update on where we are.... We are still trying to get responses from our US and State lawmakers regarding the public questions submitted during the Community Town Hall. Please consider reaching out to ask them to respond to Appalachians At Work, so we can make public those answers. We thank our local leaders for providing responses on issues with which they were familiar!

Additionally, we are working on the next project. With the reduction of federal funding impacting vital community programs, the conversation around food, farms, and schools has become more urgent than ever. To address these challenges, we are in the initial planning phase of an aggressive timeline to host the first Food Summit in Lewis County, held at Central WV HeartHouse and Holt Square Park, in Weston this summer. This collaborative event aims to bring together local farmers, schools, and community members to explore ways to support one another and build a sustainable future.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Strengthening Local Agriculture – Farmers need consistent demand and funding to make investments in their operations.
- Providing Nutritious, Locally Sourced Food for Schools – Ensuring children have access to dependable and healthy meals.
- Building Sustainability – How can we create a lasting system that benefits both farmers and schools while securing the funding to support it?
- Leveraging Existing Programs – What funding opportunities and successful initiatives are already in place to assist farmers, children, and schools?
- Innovative Solutions – What creative approaches can we take to address challenges and enhance community collaboration?
This summit presents an opportunity to connect stakeholders, spark meaningful discussions, and develop actionable strategies for a resilient local food system. Together, we can strengthen the ties between farms, schools, and our community.

Contact Andrea Moneypenny Clem or a member of Appalachians At Work to find out how you can immediately get involved. Our next meeting will be held Wednesday May 21 at 6 PM at Central WV HeartHouse 266 Main Ave Weston, WV.

04/30/2025

🚨🚨🚨 These cuts to AmeriCorp and other community service and civic engagement organizations are hurting our communities. Take action now!

04/23/2025

Appalachians At Work wants to thank the more than 100 people who attended our first Community Town Hall last night with Bluejay Rising in Weston, WV. Thank you to our speakers Zachary Shrewsbury and Amy Jo Hutchinson, who are leading the charge to connect, support, organize, and educate our WV communities and to encourage civic engagement. Thank you to the magnificent Atha Family Band! Thank you to the Lewis County Commission, County Clerk, Board of Education, Sheriff, Magistrates, City of Weston, and the Governor's Field Rep for attending and contributing. Thank you to Mom's Rising, The Poor People's Campaign, United Way, Louis Bennett Public Library , Lewis County Family Resource Network , Lewis County Republican Executive Committee, Lewis County Democratic Womens Group for providing valuable information about your services. Thank you to everyone who donated including Sweet Espresso, The Coffeehouse and Giovanni's. Thank you especially to the hard work and creativity by our incredible bi-partisan and non-partisan teammates within A@W.

Non-Partisan issues like poverty, jobs, disaster relief, funding of public services and agencies, education, disability, and the cost of living can help us bridge the political divide. We may have different ideas about how to solve these problems, but recognizing we're all in the same boat with many of the same destination points or points along the way, we can say, "Hey! I'm not going to Point D but I am going to Point B. I can help row us there." As appalachians, we have more to unite us than divide us. Our enemy is not each other. Step away from the keyboard and step into action. We hope to see you along the way.

04/22/2025

Join us on YouTube tonight or watch our Livestream on Facebook!

Appalachians at Work and Bluejay Rising presents the Community Town Hall in Weston, WV

04/22/2025

Join us tomorrow for the Community Town Hall in Weston, WV! Doors open at 5pm

04/21/2025

We invite you to join us in a safe, judgment-free space where your voice matters. This is a time to speak from the heart — to share how the current cuts in funding are affecting you, your children, and the future we’re all trying to build together.

Your story can help spark change. Your truth is powerful. Let’s come together, listen, and be heard.

04/19/2025