Community

Food Drive Nets 3,490 Pounds of Goods for Salvation Army

Emma Delk

Nearly 3,500 pounds of food was collected for the Wheeling Salvation Army with help from the Ohio County and Marshall County school districts.

The districts partnered with the Salvation Army recently for its first Red Shield Against Hunger campaign. Students, parents, faculty, and staff joined forces across two counties to collect more than 3,490 pounds of nonperishable items that will be used to fill the increasing monthly food gaps the Salvation Army is experiencing.

Lt. John Lawrence, commander of the Wheeling Salvation Army, said it was a testament to the youth in Ohio and Marshall counties.

"This food drive has been such a blessing because every single item stocking our shelves right now was from a child in one of our county schools that took the time to make a difference," he said. "Each can they brought in will go to help a family who is hurting and needs a helping hand. And those helping hands represent our future."

Food from the Red Shield Against Hunger food drive will not only be used in daily food distribution, but also to help feed participants in the Salvation Army's youth and senior programming.

Lawrence said the stories he hears from the schools bring hope in tough times.

"In the month of February, we saw an increase of 144 new, first-time requests for food from our pantry," he said. "That is concerning. But as we went around to collect the food from the schools, we heard stories like that of one little girl in Marshall County who brought in at least one can of food every single day because she wanted to help those who did not have any. That gives me hope."

If anyone would like to make additional food donations, they can be dropped off daily at 140 16th St. in Wheeling or scheduled by calling the Salvation Army offices at 304-233-4400.