Photo by Michael Erb Michele VanMatre, development director for Community Resources and manager of Thrive: A Community Empowerment Center, stands in front of the Thrive Market, a choice-based food pantry which has served more than 200 area families since it opened in August.

PARKERSBURG — A food pantry located in downtown Parkersburg has served more than 200 area families since August and is working to provide even more services for those in need.

Thrive: A Community Empowerment Center is located at 325 7th St. in downtown Parkersburg and provides the Thrive Market, a “choice-based food pantry” for those in need.

“The distinction between a choice-based food pantry and a typical food pantry is just that you can come in and shop as though you are in a grocery store,” said Michele VanMatre, development director for Community Resources and manager of Thrive. “We find there is a better utilization of services, and you don’t get things you don’t want, so there is less waste.”

The food items are provided at no cost to clients, and since the group opened its doors it has served more than 200 individual families, many coming back to the pantry on a monthly basis.

“We have found that it is more than emergency food needs. We supplement families’ food budgets,” she said.

Photo by Michael Erb Thrive: A Community Empowerment Center located at 325 7th St. in downtown Parkersburg offers a variety of services, including a food pantry, homegoods, clothing for foster children and an organic gardening program.

In addition to the Market, Thrive also offers: Thrive Homegoods, which provides housing items such as dishware and linens for those transitioning to stable housing; Thrive Garden, an educational garden project providing fresh greens and organic vegetables; Kelly’s Closet, clothing distribution for foster children; and acts as a hub for service and volunteer opportunities.

“Our goal is to collaborate with other area agencies, to get people the services they need,” VanMatre said. “We’re trying to not duplicate services, but to provide things that might not be offered through other agencies.”

Thrive is supported through a community block grant funding, local community foundations, churches and private donors, she said.

VanMatre said while the Thrive Market is open to anyone, some services require referrals through other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). For more information on Thrive and its offerings, visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThriveMOV/.