D-SNAP and Other Emergency Feeding Operations

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

With historic flooding affecting parts of southern Louisiana, West Virginia and other ongoing disaster-related events in the U.S., FMI wants to ensure your companies are aware of resources available during times of great need.

By: Elizabeth Tansing, Director, State Government Relations  <img title="Store with broken items" style="margin: 10px; float: right;" alt="Store with broken items" src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/default-album/store-with-broken-items.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" /> With historic flooding affecting parts of southern Louisiana, West Virginia and other ongoing disaster-related events in the U.S., FMI wants to ensure your companies are aware of resources available during times of great need.   As part of the National Response Framework, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) provides nutrition assistance to those most affected by a disaster or emergency. When state agencies notify FNS of the types and quantities of food that relief organizations need for emergency feeding operations, FNS will supply food to disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army for mass feeding or household distribution.  FNS also authorizes states to provide Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits in disaster areas. D-SNAP is an entirely different program from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and is the largest feeding program in the domestic hunger safety net. D-SNAP is established after a federally-declared disaster and when a state receives approval from USDA FNS. Any individual or family in a disaster-related area that undergoes damage to their home or self-employment property, has disaster-related expenses, food loss, income disruption or inaccessibility to liquid resources may be approved for D-SNAP. In addition, states have the option of including individuals working in the disaster area at the time of the disaster. Disqualification status from SNAP does not disqualify an applicant from D-SNAP. When possible, it is always constructive to consider disaster responses beforehand. If you are located in an area where natural disasters can and do occur, pre-registering for D-SNAP should be considered. It should be done while you still have access to electricity and personal information. While this does not guarantee benefits, it will streamline the process. In Louisiana, the Department of Children and Family Services is asking individuals and families to pre-register for D-SNAP. Louisiana residents should click <a href="http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=360">here</a> for more information. U.S. households who would like to apply for SNAP, D-SNAP or locate their USDA field office will find applications and other relevant information <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-application-and-local-office-locators">here</a>.  Any state association or retailer facing challenges in putting together applications in a disaster area due to loss of power, lack of access to documentation or templates, lack of access to email, etc. may contact <a href="http://www.fmi.org/">FMI</a>  for assistance. According to the <a href="http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/News/2016/Pages/Disaster-SNAP-(D-SNAP)-Food-Benefits-Help-Thousands-of-Flood-Affected-Households.aspx">West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources</a>, D-SNAP benefits provided $4,661,482 to thousands of people in the 12 declared disaster counties from July 25-31, 2016. D-SNAP benefits went to 4,766 individuals not currently on SNAP, and 43,744 individuals currently receiving SNAP. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMGA) has been contacted by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s office regarding retailers who have either <a href="http://www.volunteerwv.org/2/index.cfm">donated money, supplies or volunteer hours</a> to assist in the flood relief effort. The governor’s office is working to create a database to highlight the many contributions made by generous companies and individuals. If you are a retailer, you may respond to <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">Traci Nelson</a>, and OMGA will pass this information along.  To view FNS’s recent and current responses, including D-SNAP distribution, click <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/disaster-assistance">here</a>. Click <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=disaster-help">here</a> to view USDA’s Disaster Resource Center. If you’d like to receive news updates and disaster-related information directly to your computer or wireless device, click <a href="http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USDHSFEMA_153">here</a> to sign up for FEMA's email subscription service.

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.