Martinsburg Food Pantry is 'Mission' for Founder Smith

Linda Smith, the manager of the Martinsburg Food Pantry, said she never thought retirement would look like this.

Smith retired from the Spring Cove School District after 29 years of service.

She started teaching in the elementary to eighth-grade levels. She then discovered her love of reading instruction. At the time, a reading certification was necessary to teach reading, so it was back to school for Smith.

Smith took the necessary classes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and received her Title One Reading certification.

Her final years of teaching were spent at Martinsburg Elementary.

In 2009, the Morrisons Cove Herald ran the "Pay It Forward" contest. Readers in the community were asked to submit their ideas for community enrichment.

Smith, who at the time was a volunteer with the Ministerium helping to distribute food vouchers and food donations, submitted the idea of a central location for a food pantry.

The dream of using the old Grange building was too expensive. Randy Stoltz, borough manager at the time, offered space in the borough building. The pantry then had a space but needed shelving. The Herald's $500 contest money would really help, she said.

Smith's idea was one of three that was awarded a prize.

The space at 113 E. Allegheny St. in Martinsburg was furnished with shelving purchased from the Roaring Spring Department Store, which was in the process of a store remodeling. Inventory and supplies were purchased and donations filled the shelves.

"I just never imagined that I would be doing something so different in my retirement. But I felt called to do it. It's like a mission for me," Smith said.

The Martinsburg Food Pantry has been helping to feed the community for over 10 years.