Elkins Mayor Meets with D&E Student Athlete to Discuss Strategies for Tackling Food Insecurity

ELKINS, W.Va. — Oct. 2, 2025 — Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco met with Davis & Elkins College (D&E) student Alexis Herndon on October 1 to discuss community-based strategies that could help combat food insecurity and strengthen town-gown partnerships here in Elkins.

Herndon, a dedicated student-athlete on the women’s golf team who is striving for a career in public health, presented ideas focused on realistic, scalable, and sustainable solutions. Her commitment to the issue was sparked by witnessing food insecurity among peers in her hometown of Stinson, W.V.; now, she has been taking direct action by regularly stocking the Blessing Boxes located across Elkins.

“Proactive students like Alexis are a tremendous asset to our city,” said Mayor Marco. “Her hands-on experience with the Blessing Boxes, combined with her academic focus on public health, provides a valuable perspective as we work to address community needs. Strengthening the connection between the City and the College is key to our shared future.”

The discussion centered on practical approaches to alleviate hunger and foster deeper connections between the City of Elkins and D&E. Herndon shared her vision for initiatives that could mobilize both student volunteers and community resources.

“I believe we can build a stronger support network for everyone in Elkins,” said Herndon. “By combining the energy and ideas from the college with the resources and reach of the City, we can make a real impact on food security. I am grateful to Mayor Marco for his time and his willingness to listen.”

The meeting underscores a shared commitment to addressing local challenges through innovative partnership and civic engagement.

Food insecurity, and its relation to local community challenges, has frequently been a topic of discussion within the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health. More information on this group, which meets monthly, is here.