KINGWOOD — Preston County Caring Council Family Resource Network is continuing to work with other agencies to provide services to local residents in need.
Due to COVID restrictions, Barb Thorn, director of FRN, said although clients are no longer allowed in the office — they can come to the door and pick up food or baby pantry orders.
She said clients seeking help should wear masks.
Along with baby supplies, FRN also provides food and hygiene supplies to homeless clients.
Thorn said FRN serves an average of five to six homeless clients each week.
The men and women served are usually in their late 20s or early 30s.
When a homeless client comes to FRN, each is provided with ready-to-eat foods like peanut butter, Vienna sausages, crackers, drinks and water, along with hygiene products.
“We keep some gloves, coats, clothing and shoes for adults,” Thorn said.
FRN has a food box outside its office for anyone in need. It is filled each day the office is open.
Anyone wishing to donate can add non-perishable food to the box.
Thorn said FRN does not have funds to help clients pay for utilities. She said she is seeking funding and donations to help continue the service.
“Fuel, wood and water bills, along with gas cards, are a really big need in Preston County,” Thorn said.
Tracy Shannon, director of the FRN baby pantry, said thanks to recent donations of baby formula, she has been able to provide more formula to clients.
Shannon said the pantry is also accepting donations.
“We accept donations of baby food, formula, diapers, wipes, blankets and anything to do with babies,” she said. “We have between three to four clients a week.”
Shannon said the pantry also accepts open packages of diapers, if they are from a non-smoking home.
Thorn said FRN did supply Christmas gifts for kids this year.
“We were able to provide gifts for 25 children,” she said. “We weren’t able to have our Old Fashioned Christmas Party this year, so we had to deliver the gifts to the families.”
She said the gifts were purchased through funds donated for that purpose.
Donations to the Caring Council can be dropped off Monday-Thursday at 105 W. High St., Kingwood, or call 304-329-1968.
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