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St. C. Rotary food distribution successful

Photo Provided Annmarie O’Grady, left, and Roxanne Bruce, members of the Rotary Club of St. Clairsville, wait for residents to arrive at Thursday’s food giveaway outside the Moose Lodge in St. Clairsville.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The St. Clairsville Rotary Club distributed more than 100 boxes filled with food items to those in need Thursday.

Wendy Anderson, a member of Rotary and director of the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the food giveaway was a success with around 120 boxes of food being distributed to residents in the area.

“It was wonderful. … It was a very big success,” she said.

The Rotary partnered with the St. Clairsville Moose Lodge 2504, Home City Ice and the Salvation Army for the giveaway. The Salvation Army delivered the boxes of food, which contained a gallon of milk, yogurt, cheese, bologna, hot dogs, oranges, potatoes and onions. Home City Ice provided two coolers to store some of the food items in until they were able to be distributed, and the Moose provided the location. Rotarians helped to unload the boxes and distribute them throughout the day. Anderson said organizers are grateful for everyone that participated in and sponsored the event.

Anderson said the distribution was not just for residents of the city — it was for anyone in need of food. Residents from all over Belmont County drove through to receive a box, she said.

“We had people come from as far as Barnesville. We had people from throughout Belmont County, everywhere,” she said. “There is a need for this in the area.”

Anderson said the volunteers helped many people including those who are out of work, single mothers and grandparents taking care of their grandchildren.

“We saw a lot of people that needed food — it varied from elderly to young people,” she added.

Although this was the first time the group held a “mass food giveaway,” Anderson said the Rotary has always donated food items to local residents just on a smaller scale.

“We do fundraisers, collect donations and then we go out and buy groceries. There are several of us that deliver meals to families — a Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving or Easter dinner. … We know there’s families out there that are in need,” she said.

She said the smaller meal deliveries have a personal touch that both the Rotary members and the food recipients appreciate.

The Rotary is hoping to hold additional food distributions in the near future. Anderson said prior to planning upcoming distributions, members wanted to see how well Thursday’s givea

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