ResCare donates $5K to Old Man Rivers
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PARKERSBURG -- ResCare this week presented a $5,000 donation to Old Man Rivers as part of its mission to help address hunger during the holidays.
ResCare Community Living provides services to people with intellectual, developmental or cognitive disabilities. Rick Brewer, executive director of ResCare, said Old Man Rivers serves one of its clients so the organization wanted to give back.
"We decided that we would give back to them because they've assisted us for the amount of time that we had him," Brewer said.
In honor of the month of thanks, Brewer said ResCare employees volunteer in the community to help deliver meals and lend a hand during the holidays.
"A lot of people are willing to jump up and help," he said. "Some of our leaders and our senior leaders have stepped in."
Having food on hand to give away is a top priority for Old Man Rivers; manager Jeanette Pursley said 553 local families were able to get food from the organization last month. Around 150 families pick up food in the span of a couple of days, she said.
"People are very grateful because now, when they go to the store, their money just doesn't go as far as it used to. We're able to give them fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, meats, dairy and canned food," she said. "Usually what monies we receive goes right back into the food to try to keep the families fed."
Along with the food pantry, Old Man Rivers prepares and delivers meals to seniors on the weekends.
"We leave out of here on Saturday and Sunday morning each day with about 380 meals and we stop and feed the crisis center," Pursley said.
If any meals are left over, Pursley said volunteers take them to Colonial House.
The Old Man Rivers Christmas program is underway, during which the organization will gift teenagers with clothes, shoes, toiletries or other necessities.
"Right now, we have 200 teenagers registered for Christmas. Each child gets a new coat, new pair of shoes, what clothes they need and they can choose from the listing three gifts," Pursley said.
Donations of new items for the Christmas giveaway are accepted at Old Man Rivers at 703 Pike St. in Parkersburg. For more information, call (304) 428-6677.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.