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WHS, Catholic students unite for food drive

Photo courtesy of Williamstown Bank Williamstown High School and Parkersburg Catholic High School have teamed with Williamstown Bank to hold a food drive for flood victims in Clay County. Students Lexi Moore from WHS, left, Noah Chidester and Andrew O’Callaghan of PCHS, center left and center right, respectively, and Sydney Newton of WHS, right, helped kick off the food drive Wednesday at Williamstown Bank and will be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries today at Williamstown High homecoming events and beginning Monday at PCHS.

WILLIAMSTOWN — Two area rivals are teaming up to help families affected by recent floods in Clay County.

Williamstown High School and Parkersburg Catholic High School will hold food drives this week and next along with area businesses to replenish food pantries in Clay County, which was devastated by flooding.

Williamstown High will begin its food drive today during the WHS Homecoming Parade, at 2:15 p.m., and at the WHS Homecoming football game at 7 p.m. today at the Williamstown Football Stadium.

Parkersburg Catholic will kick off its donation drive Monday and will accept non-perishable food items through Nov. 4.

The effort is in conjunction with Williamstown Bank and Eddy Chiropractic Clinic in Williamstown and Parkersburg-Marietta Contractors Association on Emerson Avenue in Parkersburg. All three businesses will operate as drop-off locations for donations through Nov. 10,  and items will be taken to Clay County on Nov. 11.

Sharon Anderson, senior vice president for Williamstown Bank, said the food drive is part of an ongoing effort to aid flood victims in Clay County, many of whom are still recovering from the devastating flooding in June which caused widespread damage and claimed some lives.

“These areas saw a lot of interest and help in the first few weeks after the floods, but it’s 2-4 months later, when people are starting to forget, that they really need help,” she said. “We feel very fortunate and grateful that both Williamstown High and Parkersburg Catholic were willing to join us in this effort. This is a really strong showing of community.”

Williamstown Bank already has sent several work teams to the area as well as gathered donated appliances and furniture. The bank has raised about $18,000 for flood relief, some of which paid for heavy equipment to help clear debris in the days immediately following the floods.

But Anderson said some families in Clay County are still in tents, trailers or other temporary housing and are facing an uncertain winter as the holiday season approaches. Local food pantries, already stretched thin in the best of times, have become one of the only sources of aid, she said.

The food drive accepts all non-perishable food items, but also will accept donations of toiletry items, such as shampoo and soap, to distribute in Clay County. The bank has been working with the Risen Lord Catholic Church in Maysel, W.Va., to make sure all donated items and funds go to help those in need, Anderson said.

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