(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The annual Chick Crites Food Drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel at 519 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg.

This is the sixth year of the food drive and donations benefit the DAV Chapter 32 food pantry and Old Man Rivers. The event is sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon of the Marine Corps Veterans Association and the newspaper.

The food drive is named after Carl “Chick” Crites, a Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran known for helping other veterans. Crites died in 2020.

“This food drive helps out the Old Man Rivers and the DAV Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32 which is here in town. They split it 50/50, and it’s named after ‘Chick’ Crites, who was a member of both organizations,” said Bernie Lyons, founder and former commanding officer for the Marine Corps Veteran Association’s Parkersburg branch.

Gary Bradley, commander of DAV Chapter 32, said the chapter is proud to once again host the event and to ensure that no veteran in Wood County or in any of the seven surrounding counties they serve will go hungry.

“We’re calling on the community to bring canned goods, nonperishable foods, hygiene items, or monetary donations,” Bradley said. “Every contribution, large or small, stays right here in our local area to help veterans and their families who are struggling to make ends meet.”

Lyons said this year’s need is greater than ever.

“The people coming for help have increased this year significantly, and if it helps even one person, it’s worth doing,” he said.

Bradley said supporting this event is a tangible way to say thank you to the men and women who have served.

“Together, we can make sure they know they are not forgotten. We encourage everyone to stop by, donate what they can,” he said.