Key Facts
- Pastor
- Alvin Christian
- Food bank
- God's Store House Food Bank, Bluefield, West Virginia
- Families served daily
- More than 800
- Reason for empty shelves
- Refused donations from organizations with LGBTQ ties
- Cited organization
- Feeding America
- GoFundMe raised
- $5 total
Background
God's Store House Food Bank in Bluefield, West Virginia, has been serving more than 800 families daily, according to a report from Jezebel. The pantry is operated by Pastor Alvin Christian.
In a since-deleted but archived Facebook Live video, Christian said he refused to accept food from organizations he considered 'part of the gay rights movement.' He specifically cited Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that distributes over 5 billion meals annually and feeds more than 40 million Americans.
Christian said he made phone calls and researched the organizations, asking if they were 'tied in or partners with LGBQ, T, whatever.' When they said yes, he decided to stop accepting their donations.
Current Situation
In the video, Christian panned the camera over empty shelves and said, 'As you can see, our cupboards are empty, our freezers are empty. We have nothing in the warehouse as far as food-wise as of this moment.'
He explained, 'I refuse to receive food from anybody that is tied into that. I make a stand right here, right now. That's why we haven't had no food here in a while, because I will not be part of a gay rights movement because the [Feeding] America is partnered up with them and I will not be with them. I refuse to be tied in to something of that nature that's totally an abomination against God.'
Following backlash, Christian reportedly attempted to clarify that he was not refusing donations but refusing to purchase food from organizations whose revenue might fund LGBTQ groups. However, Feeding America donates food free of charge and does not sell to pantries, according to the report.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Food banks in network | More than 200 |
| Meals distributed annually | More than 5 billion |
| Americans fed annually | More than 40 million |
Impacts
The empty shelves mean the pantry has nothing to distribute to the more than 800 families it previously served daily in Bluefield, West Virginia. These families may now face reduced access to food assistance.
Christian said he would not turn away an LGBTQ person from accessing food, but he would refuse to accept donations from them or from organizations with LGBTQ ties. This stance has drawn criticism and may affect the pantry's ability to restock.
A GoFundMe launched by the food bank in February has raised only five dollars total, according to the report, leaving the pantry without a clear alternative source of supplies.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Christian continues to refuse donations from Feeding America and similar organizations, the pantry may remain empty, and the families it served could continue to lack access to food. The situation could worsen if no other donors step in.
If Christian reverses his decision and accepts donations from Feeding America, the pantry could restock and resume serving the 800 families. However, it remains unclear whether he will change his stance.
Alternatively, if community members or other organizations provide donations, the pantry might recover without relying on Feeding America. But given the low GoFundMe total, this possibility appears uncertain.
Source: jezebel.com
