Buckhannon, WV – The Upshur Cooperative Parish House has announced the appointment of Isaac Casto as Executive Director effective October 1, 2023. Casto replaces Kristi Wilkerson as Director of the nonprofit which focuses on food insecurity utility assistance in Upshur County.
“We are very happy that Isaac has accepted the position as Executive Director,” said Gary Frush, Chair of the Parish House Finance Committee. “He has been able to take the reins and move forward, working well with both staff and neighbors. We are extremely pleased with the direction that we are moving and look forward to what we will be able to do in the future with Isaac’s guidance.”
Casto has been serving as Acting Director of the Parish House since July 2023 following a promotion from his position as Finance Manager. Prior to being hired at the Parish House, he volunteered in the food pantry and home repair programs as a West Virginia Wesleyan Bonner Scholar from 2003-2006.
“It feels like a full circle moment for me,” Casto stated. “The Parish House was a really important place to me at a really important time of my life. I feel fortunate to be back and I’m excited to continue our outreach and community-building.”
Casto assumes the role at a busy time of year for the Parish House. “We’re in a really interesting place in terms of scaling up our existing services and planning additional programming,” he said. “Neighbor needs – things like food packages, utility assistance, and hot lunches – are up 20% from this time last year. That’s something we have to account for as we prepare our holiday meal baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the same time, we’re also preparing an additional location in Rock Cave to better serve the southern part of Upshur County.”
Previously Casto was a teacher with Upshur County Schools and a Senior Accountant with Chesapeake Energy. He holds an undergraduate degree in Marketing, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s in Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He lives in Buckhannon with his wife, Deidra, and their children Sylvia and Franklin.
“I’d like to thank the Executive Committee of the Parish House for this opportunity and the Upshur County community for their generous support. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing help of our volunteers and donors. I am deeply grateful,” concluded Casto.
About the Upshur Cooperative Parish House
The Upshur Parish House, a mission project of the WV United Methodist Church, assists with basic needs for low-income Upshur County families. Since 1992, the Upshur Parish House has offered various services and programs to its neighbors-in-need including a food pantry, rent and utility financial assistance, holiday food boxes, clothing vouchers, thrift store, newborn layettes, hot lunches, backpacks and school supplies, and referral to other agencies and community organizations. The Parish House is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1 pm with additional hours Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 pm. Its thrift store, The Clothes Closet, is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Approximately 75-100 families visit the Parish House each week for assistance.
Donations may be mailed or delivered to the Parish House weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm at 68 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201. To stay up to date on our latest news, like and follow Upshur Cooperative Parish: Parish House and Crosslines Inc. on Facebook.
