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Doddridge community gives back during Thanksgiving holiday

By Candice Black 2 min read

WEST UNION -- Giving back to the community for Thanksgiving is in full swing as Doddridge County helps those in need during the holiday season.

Kathy Herndon, community service specialist for Community Resources Inc., talked about many of the ways community members have helped residents of the Doddridge County area have a good Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 17, CRI and the DEO Food Pantry passed out Thanksgiving boxes full of turkey and all the fixings that go along with it. Items were donated by the Harrison County Key Club, Herndon said, and within about 45 minutes, the boxes were all gone.

Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Lions Club contacts Herndon and has her choose a family to sponsor their holiday meals. This year, a family of five received food for their Thanksgiving meal.

The Doddridge Middle School Leo Club donated a generous amount of food, items like turkey and trimmings, to the food pantry.

Herndon hopes that people who come during holiday time will continue to seek out services during the other months of the year.

"I hope that if they need services and we're not aware what they need that they're able to come back and utilize the services available to them when they do need it," she said.

West Union First Assembly of God hosted its third community Thanksgiving meal on Sunday.

According to Pastor Joe Hoggard, the church served around 80 community members.

Hoggard felt the crowd was equally divided between families and individuals.

The first year of their meal, Hoggard felt there were people in need but some were unsure if people would actually come. During that first year, about 80 people attended within the first 45 minutes and they ran out of food, Hoggard said.

"The last two years, we've been ready," Hoggard said. "I don't think it's always about needing food as much as it's needing somewhere to go. We're glad to provide that."

Gratitude was in full supply from many community members. Hoggard said several people approached him saying how glad they were that they were providing the meal.

"It was a great success. (We're) pleased with the opportunity that we had to bless some people," Hoggard said.

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