Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center – Charleston

Food Assistance · West Virginia · Free

Soup kitchen and food assistance program for Charleston residents, providing hot meals and community support for people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. Fathers in need can walk in during the weekday midday serving window. Located on Tennessee Avenue in Charleston. No ID required to receive a meal. Also provides referrals to housing and recovery resources in the Kanawha Valley. Monday through Friday.

Contact & Details

Address: 609 Tennessee Ave, Charleston, WV 25302

Phone: 304-344-3127

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-12:30pm

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in West Virginia

West Virginia Family Court is a statewide unified system handling divorce, custody, and child support. The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement operates under DHHR. Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown are the largest cities. Legal Aid of West Virginia is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Food Assistance in West Virginia

  • Mountaineer Food Bank — The largest food bank in West Virginia, distributing food through a network of partner pantries and programs in 48 counties. Fathers in need
  • Facing Hunger Foodbank — Regional food bank serving the Huntington Tri-State area with a network of partner pantries, mobile distributions, and child-feeding program
  • Feeding America – WV Partners — National network of food banks with multiple West Virginia partners, including Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Foodbank. Fathers can
  • WIC Program – WV — Federal nutrition program providing healthy food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant and postpartum women, infants,
  • Manna Meal – Charleston — Free daily meal program at St. John's Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, serving hot lunches to anyone in need without questions or pa
  • Meals on Wheels – WV — Home-delivered meal program for seniors and homebound individuals across West Virginia, operated through local providers under the national

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?
Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?
Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?
Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?
USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.