GoFundMe Launched to Address Food Insecurity in McDowell County Schools

Campaign aims to fund meals and weekend backpack programs for students in need

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A new GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support students struggling with food insecurity in McDowell County, West Virginia. The fundraiser was organized by Karl Von Roenn, who recently moved to Welch to support the McDowell County School District, and co-organizer Nicci Luu. The campaign aims to fund meals and weekend backpack programs for students in need through the Five Loaves and Two Fishes food bank.

Why it matters

Food insecurity is a significant challenge for many students in McDowell County, which can negatively impact their ability to learn and thrive in school. This campaign seeks to address this critical issue and provide basic nutrition support to ensure all children have the opportunity to succeed.

The details

Von Roenn said he quickly realized that many children in the area face significant challenges before even entering the classroom, as students who arrive at school hungry often have their most basic needs take precedence over learning. The GoFundMe aims to fund meals and weekend backpack programs to support these students in need.

  • The GoFundMe campaign launched on February 25, 2026.

The players

Karl Von Roenn

The organizer of the GoFundMe campaign who recently moved to Welch to support the McDowell County School District.

Nicci Luu

The co-organizer of the GoFundMe campaign supporting the effort to address food insecurity in McDowell County schools.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

The local food bank that will receive the funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign to provide meals and weekend backpack programs for students in need.

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What they’re saying

“The children of McDowell County deserve the same opportunities and quality of life as any other child, and addressing food insecurity is a critical place to start.”

— Karl Von Roenn (wvva.com)

What’s next

The GoFundMe campaign is ongoing, and organizers encourage anyone interested in supporting the cause to donate or share the fundraiser link with others.

The takeaway

This campaign highlights the significant challenge of food insecurity facing students in McDowell County, West Virginia, and the efforts of local community members to address this critical issue and ensure all children have access to the nutrition they need to succeed in school.