Old Man Rivers Mission is transforming community support into community action through a spirit of volunteerism. Founded in 1991, Old Man Rivers Mission has touched the lives of hundreds of individuals in Wood County.

The main program of the Mission is a weekend feeding program where they deliver hot nutritious meals to the Parkersburg/Vienna community using a mobile kitchen technique each Saturday and Sunday. In fall 2016, the Mission purchased a new delivery truck with a grant from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation allowing the Mission to delivery more than 200 meals in one trip.

Each Saturday and Sunday, the Mission prepares 400 meals to deliver to the community. In 2018, 41,700 meals were delivered to the elderly, disabled, and homeless. Nearly 80% of Old Man Rivers Mission's feeding program clients are elderly. For many, the meal that is delivered to them is the only meal they will have for that day. Their clientele is comprised of those with very limited or no income so affording food is a tremendous hardship.

Another program of the Mission is their pantry which provides families with food and personal hygiene items. On average, more than 620 families are served each month (based on July-December 2018 figures).

To solidify their commitment to the Mid-Ohio Valley region, Old Man Rivers Mission's Board of Directors recently established an endowment fund with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation that will help provide operating support for the organization.

"The Foundation has a respected reputation in our community and this new endowment fund's annual distribution will help supplement a portion of our annual operating expenses and help us continue to serve the residents of Wood County," said Jeanette Pursley, President of Old Man Rivers Mission.