Lifting Up West Virginia Families

Emily Pertl genuinely likes problem solving, and she’s happiest when her skills make something better. A principal data science engineer in MITRE’s Intelligence Center, Pertl dedicates her time outside of work to tackling an intractable problem in her community: hunger. 

Pertl works in our Clarksburg, West Va., location and lives in neighboring Monongalia “Mon” County on the Pennsylvania border. She moved to the area from New Jersey, earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from West Virginia University. 

While Mon County is known for its beauty and recreation, “there are pockets of deep poverty,” says Pertl, who joined MITRE in 2016. “One in five kids in West Virginia face food insecurity, meaning they don’t know when they’ll eat next. And those are just the kids we know of.”

Pertl says many families don’t access assistance for fear of feeling judged or ashamed. 

For the past six years, she has served in multiple roles—as vice president, treasurer, and food distribution lead for Pantry Plus More. The Pantry is a nonprofit committed to “ending hunger and giving every child equal opportunity to succeed in learning.”  

The Pantry’s mission hits home for Pertl, who remembers sparse shelves near the end of the month before her mom got her paycheck. She takes to heart what her mom told her growing up: “Do better than me.” 

Meeting Kids’ Needs Where They Are 

A guidance counselor and a high school student started the Pantry in 2017 when they noticed several students struggling academically because they didn’t have enough food. 

“They realized early on that hunger is just one barrier,” Pertl says. “Kids also need clean clothes, hygiene products, and school supplies to feel confident and stay focused in class.” 

The all-volunteer Pantry and school social workers set up discreet in-school pantries where kids can ‘shop’ for items they or family members need: food and snacks, toothpaste, deodorant, clothing, and other basic necessities. Students take supplies home at the end of the day for immediate use. 

“Kids are happy when they pick a snack or meal a younger sibling will like, or socks for gym class,” Pertl says. “These are things they’d normally just go without.” 

All Hands on Deck

Pertl has applied her engineering and organizational skills to streamline the Pantry’s operations and processes—everything from automating the registration system and tracking inventory to dividing up perishable donations, like a 10-pound block of cheese (wax paper from the deli did the trick). She also finds ways for the youngest volunteers to help. “Little kids are great at unwrapping supplies and handing out candy,” Pertl says.

Each month, she coordinates large-scale food distributions in four different locations, reaching 350 to 400 families. Spreading out across the county helps to eliminate the barrier of transportation. 

Time outside of school is when many kids miss meals. That’s why the Pantry distributes double the amount of food in the summer with volunteer-tested, kid-friendly recipes and ingredients for easy meal prep. 

“I’m a mechanical engineer. I figure things out,” says Pertl. “If I can make things better or easier for someone else, I will. What gives me joy is helping people.”

Her enthusiasm is contagious, says MITRE’s Matt Bielefeld. 

“I was at the Clarksburg site when Emily realized she was down a volunteer for a mobile food giveaway,” he says. “My brother was in town, so she said to bring him along.” 

They unloaded pallets and distributed food for several hours with other volunteers. When one of the cars pulled up, someone noticed all passengers were barefoot. 

“That’s the level of poverty in the area,” Bielefeld says. “We found shoes for everyone in the Pantry’s clothing closet.” 

Help However You Can, Be Part of the Solution

Pertl’s vehicles and house are always filled with large boxes. (Just ask her husband and biggest supporter, MITRE’s Andy Pertl.) She and other board members buy food, toiletries, and laundry supplies in bulk, and a LOT of brand name backpacks on sale.

“Good backpacks will last and cut down on bullying that can happen if a student has a lower quality one,” she says. “Also, we buy different brands because if every kid gets the same one, they’re identified as getting a free giveaway—and bullied for that.”

More than 1,600 kids receive a high-quality, supply-filled backpack at the Pantry’s annual Back to School Bash. 

“Emily’s an inspiration,” says Bielefeld. “She manages all logistics for a highly technical project at work. She applies those same skills to help families in need.”

Pertl encourages everyone to give to their community in some way. 

“It can be just an hour of your time or a small monthly donation. MITRE’s civic time benefit makes it possible to volunteer in your community. It all makes a difference.”