The Adams House Ministries, which assists low-income families in Tyler County, is now under the direction of Becky Ruble, left, and Betsy Keller. Keller was named director of the ministry in August, with Ruble as her assistant. (Photo Provided)

MIDDLEBOURNE — Betsy Keller has been named director of the Adams House Ministries in Middlebourne, an ecumenical outreach of the Middlebourne United Methodist Church that assists low-income families in Tyler County.

Rebecca (Becky) Ruble will serve as Keller’s assistant.

The search for a new director began in July following the resignation of long-time director Sue Pelikan, who served the ministry for 18 years. Keller and Ruble hope to continue and expand the work of Pelikan and her assistant, Lisa Eads, who left the ministry in September.

Founded in July 2003, the ministry cooperates with several local churches and other organizations to help families, known as neighbors, meet food challenges and offer emergency assistance with prescriptions, mortgage or rent, utilities and transportation to medical appointments.

The Adams House currently serves 70 to 85 families a month. In November, it will provide Thanksgiving meals for about 100 families. Bags of groceries for neighbors during the Christmas season may also be available.

Keller believes she was called to the ministry when the opportunity arose.

“I felt God asking me to make a change in my life and to do something for my community,” said Keller, a Middlebourne resident. “I prayed about it and decided to apply for the position.”

Keller worked for Union Bank in Middlebourne for 24 years as the Bank Teller Supervisor. Following her retirement from the financial industry, Keller worked as a fitness center staff member for the Council of Senior Tyler Countians Inc.

“We hope to offer our neighbors additional services to help them be more self-sufficient,” Keller said. “Becky and I will seek feedback from the neighbors to better determine their day-to-day needs.”

Ruble worked for seven years as an executive assistant for a research and advisory firm that provides insights, tools and strategies to help organizations achieve their goals. Like Keller, she believes her mission at the Adams House is to serve others.

“I like to think that I am the hands and feet of Jesus here in our community,” said Ruble, who also lives in Middlebourne. “Working at the Adams House is a way for me to fulfill that mission.”

Keller and Ruble are both active members of Middlebourne Baptist Church where they are involved in many outreach ministries and missions. Working for Middlebourne UMC offers them yet another avenue for service.

“The Middlebourne United Methodist Church is excited about the future of the Adams House Ministries,” said MUMC Pastor Chuck Sapp. “We believe Betsy and Becky will lead us in new and exciting ways to better serve those in need throughout Tyler County.”

The Adams House Ministry offices and food pantry are in the basement of the Middlebourne United Methodist Church Friendship Center, on East Street.

The food pantry is stocked through donations from the community and purchases from the Mountaineer Food Bank.

Locally, food donations for the ministry are collected in a specially marked grocery cart at the Middlebourne Galaxy or may be dropped off at the office in Middlebourne. Milk and produce vouchers are also offered to the neighbors in conjunction with the Middlebourne Galaxy.

Additionally, the ministry purchases food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Mountaineer Food Bank.

“We receive food from the Mountaineer Food Bank every second Friday of the month,” Keller said. “Volunteers are needed to help us unload the food, which is delivered to the Galaxy rear parking lot, and restock it in our pantry.”

As part of her duties with the Adams House, Keller has been meeting with staff from the Tyler County Family Resource Network and the Tyler County Local Emergency Planning Committee to coordinate efforts to help area families in need. She also plans to speak to area churches to explore ways they can help support the ministry.

“We’d like to recruit volunteers in the office to help us better serve our neighbors,” Keller said. “I’m also hoping to organize fund-raising efforts with organizations willing to work with us.”

Keller and Ruble also are working with the Genesis HealthCare Sistersville Center and its “adopt a senior” program.

“The ministry is donating 15 gift bags at Christmas for residents of the Genesis nursing home facility in Sistersville,” Keller said. “We may also look at projects that can help shut-ins who are not physically able to come to our offices for assistance.”

The Adams House Ministries is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information about services or to volunteer, call 304 758-0236 or email adamshousemin25@gmail.com.