Residents of McDowell County Concerned About Safety Net Cuts

Residents of McDowell County, West Virginia struggle with poor water quality and economic decline, relying on bottled water and food assistance as poverty rates soar. With a population drop from nearly 100,000 to 17,000, many families face food insecurity, worsened by impending cuts to federal benefits like SNAP. Local leaders, including Pastor Brad Davis and food bank director Linda McKinney, emphasize the community’s resilience despite the opioid epidemic and economic challenges. Political views in the county are diverse, reflecting a complicated relationship with national politics.

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