KINGWOOD — Each year, the Food for Preston Annual Food Drive collects donations of food and funding to help serve families in need during the holidays.
The food drive continues through December with local churches and businesses, including Preston Memorial Hospital, still collecting donations.
More than 1,700 people are served each month. The number increases during the holidays.
According to Food for Preston Coordinator Tammy Laney, this year Stephanie Martin and her students organized their Annual Preston High School Food Drive. The food drive will run through Friday.
During the drive, PHS students and staff donate nonperishable food items, making the PHS Food Drive the largest in Preston County, Laney said.
She said WesBanco employees, coordinated by Lynne Kilkenny, have volunteered to help pick up the food drive donations on Dec 6. The items will be distributed to Preston County families in need through the county’s 10 food pantries.
Beginning Dec 1, Laney said many of the local businesses and organizations, including Preston Memorial Hospital, WV Cares Reedsville Resale Store & Arthurdale Office, and the Preston Visitors Center host collection bins. She said anyone wishing to make a donation can drop off non-perishable food donations at these locations.
Laney said the Nov. 3 Art Auction at Preston Community Arts Center raised $595 for Food for Preston. She said art items are still available for purchase and will be on display at the arts center until the end of the year.
Annual Food Drive monetary donations can be sent to: Food for Preston, P.O. Box 1175, Kingwood, WV 26537.
Food pantries
Kingwood area — Kingwood Apostolic Food Pantry 304-864-6153, NCWV Community Action food vouchers 304-329-1028, Raymond Wolfe Food Pantry 304-329-3644, Salvation Army Food Pantry 304-329-1245, Starting Points Baby Pantry 304-329-1968.
Bruceton Mills area — North Preston Food Pantry 304-379-7516.
Masontown/Reedsville area — Valley Food Pantry 304-680-6340.
Rowlesburg area — South Preston Food Pantry 304-454-3059.
Terra Alta/Aurora/
Cranesville area — Terra Alta Food Pantry 304-789-6276.
Tunnelton/Howesville/ Fellowsville area — Shepherd’s Tent Food Pantry (emergency only) 681-753-1789.
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