CCAP Gives Annual Report Announces New Administrative Positions and Board Members

MARTINSBURG — The Berkeley County Congregational Cooperative Action Project had its annual meeting Sunday where an annual report was given and new administrative and board members were announced.

CCAP, a cooperative ministry of more than 70 local churches, provides financial assistance for rent, prescription medications, electricity bills, water and sewer bills, emergency dental work, bus and gas vouchers for medical or employment appointments, work clothing and shoes and more, said Phil Steptoe, secretary of CCAP.

Loaves and Fishes, a subsidiary of CCAP, maintains a food pantry where donated and surplus food is distributed to those in need, Steptoe said. He said food donations are provided by local individuals, churches, stores, restaurants and organizations, including monthly donations from Mountaineer Food Bank, which provides food to 450 different programs state-wide.

CCAP was able to raise and distribute over $200,000 for those in need in 2019, Steptoe. Along with announcing Steptoe as secretary, CCAP also announced a new President,
Beverly Van Metre, as well as new Vice President Pam Wagoner. New board members were announced, which included Lillian Smith, John Washington and Pete Mulford.

Van Metre said she is devoted to CCAP, and is excited to lead the nonprofit. However, she said deliberated over her decision to become president. “We have an informal succession plan,” she said. “I didn’t automatically decide that just because I was vice president that I wanted to be president. I gave it a lot of thought. I consulted with a person that is my spiritual advisor, and I talked to some of my good friends about it. I’m glad that I’ve decided to to do this, and I think I can make a difference.”

Some of Van Metre’s goals as president are to grow the nonprofit’s work as “church visible” among low-income, undeserved residents and “the working poor of Berkeley County,” to maintain and grow their volunteer workforce and expand collaboration with other Berkeley County nonprofits, she said.

Steptoe, who was the president before Sunday’s meeting, said he enjoyed his term leading CCAP. “You get to do good things,” he said. “You get to help the community. You get to lead an organization that returns nearly all of its money to the community.”

By Eve Larsh elarsh@journal-news.net Jan 12, 2020

To read article click here.