Newspapers, Veterans Association to collect donations | News, Sports, Jobs

Area veterans organizations are gathering in the parking lot of the Marietta Times on Saturday for the Complete the Mission food drive.

Sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon Marine Corps Veterans Association and the Marietta Times, tents will be set up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect donations deposited to benefit the Gospel Mission Food Pantry.

Candy Waite from the pantry said everything was a blessing to get.

“For the month of August, 761 people have been helped and so far in September, we have helped 709 people”, she said on Tuesday.

In addition to non-perishable foods, they also need personal hygiene items such as soaps, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.

File Photos Donations were made to various veterans organizations last year during the Complete Mission food drive.

During last year’s food drive, more than seven trucks of goods were donated to the pantry. Waite said it lasted for them “probably four months.”

Bernie Lyons, commanding officer of the Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon Marine Corps Veterans Association, said this was the second year of the food drive.

“It would be good if people went out, because there are a lot of hungry people” he said. “People can get in the car and we’ll be out of business and keep everyone moving. With the resurgence of COVID, that’s probably the smart thing to do. “

“There are a lot of local families in need. Therefore, we recommit ourselves to using the resources of our two newspapers to help local veterans groups and the region’s pantries ”, said Jim Spanner, editor. “The success we have had at our previous joint events has been phenomenal. The generosity displayed in our communities is second to none, and we look forward to continuing this success this year. “

All monetary donations go directly to pantries to purchase needed items.

Lyons said there was a “Tremendous amount of food” donated to Gospel Mission last year.

“It was a good thing. The need increased when COVID got really bad ”, he said.

Lyons said six veterans organizations participated last time around, but he would like to see them all participate.

“The more veterans organizations you have, the more people will come”, he said.

¯ ¯ ¯

A second food drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 2 at the Parkersburg News and Sentinel parking lot, 519 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg.

The annual Chick Crites Veterans Food Drive will benefit Old Man Rivers Chapter 32 Pantry and Disabled American Veterans of Wood County.

“(Crites is) the one who got us going and he passed away and we thought it would be nice if we remembered him”, said Lyon.

He said Old Man Rivers was a chosen pantry because they make a “Great job. “

“They feed hundreds of people and do a remarkable job”, he said.

Nearly 500 households are supplied by the Old Man Rivers each month, a representative said. The Pantry, located at 703 Pike St. in South Parkersburg, is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

The DAV Chapter 32 Pantry, located at 938 Little Stillwell Road, Murphytown, is a little different, as it only provides food for veterans.

“We have 18 (veterans) that I know”, said Commander Paul DeBerry. “We’ve lost some and according to the sounds we’ll take back four or five more.”

Their pantry is open from noon to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, or by appointment by calling Polly Shepherd at 304-428-4210.

DeBerry can also be called at 740-434-3381 in the event of a food emergency.

“They call and say they need food and we bring it to them”, he said.

Lyons said 50 percent of donations go to Old Man Rivers and 50 percent go to the DAV Pantry, along with monetary donations given during the food drive.

In training last year, four veterans organizations participated, but Lyons said he would like to see more.

“We invite other service organizations to participate” he said. “It’s one of those things… the more the merrier!” “

Michele Newbanks can be contacted at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

If you are going to

¯ Who: Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon Marine Corps Veterans Association.

¯ What: Complete the food gathering for the mission.

¯ When: Saturday 8 am to 3 pm.

Where: Marietta Times Parking Lot, 700 Channel Lane.

Benefits: Gospel Mission pantry.