Parkersburg church served 100 homeless during cold snap; some referred for medical care

The Gathering church at 1005 14th St., Parkersburg, opened as an overnight warming station during the recent snows. (File Photo)
PARKERSBURG — Homeless at a warming station during the cold spell last week in Parkersburg were referred for help and medical care, an organizer said.
The Gathering at the peak served 60 homeless people at one time in the church’s warming center at 14th and Latrobe streets, Pastor Melody Smith said.
About 100 homeless persons were served in the frigid days the warming center was open.
“It’s a crisis,” she said. “There’s a lot more of this than what the public thinks there are.”
At least a dozen of those who took advantage of the warming center were referred to counseling and rehabilitation centers. Several also were taken to the hospital for care, Smith said.
“The ones who went to the hospital were mostly elderly,” she said.
The volume of users was a surprise, Smith said.
The Gathering was among four warming centers sharing $5,000 in support from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation through the foundation’s Safety Net Fund. The others were the Salvation Army, House to Home and the Latrobe Street Mission, of which each received $1,000.
Another $1,000 from the Moon King Fund for Humanity was distributed to the Salvation Army.
Established in 2014 to help residents in the foundation’s service area in times of critical need, the Safety Net Fund is a resource during emergencies, natural disasters, pandemics and other crises. The fund ensures community organizations can continue to provide essential services.
Since 2014, the Safety Net Fund has distributed about $400,000 in the foundation’s 11-county service area.
The Moon King Fund for Humanity was founded as a donor-advised fund in 2024 at the foundation. The Moon King Fund support adversity and disaster relief programs helping people facing unforeseen emergencies and hardships.
“We are grateful for the vital work being done by the Salvation Army, House to Home, The Gathering, and Latrobe Street Mission,” Amy Nahley, foundation senior program officer, said. “Through the Safety Net Fund, we are able to help organizations in our region have access to the resources they need to help our most vulnerable citizens in times of need.”
For more information about the foundation and efforts to support the community, go to www.pacfwv.com or all the foundation at 304-428-4438.
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.