Food Distribution begins again…

The Mountaineer Food Bank, Pocahontas Mobile Food Pantry  and the Richwood Pantry  will be distributing food on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 9am-11am.

Old Cherry River Bank Building
The new Home of the Starting Points Children Center.

Food will be distributed at the old “Cherry River Bank building, located at 44 East Main Street, Richwood.  There will be fresh produce, meat and canned goods available to all.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Barb Radcliff and/or Ms. Marla Short at 304-846-4479.

Relocation has finally begun

Nicholas County Starting Points,  Parents As Teachers, The Nicholas County Empowerment Corporation and the  Richwood Pantry, collectively have started the process of relocating to 44 East Main Street, Richwood, WV.  Our goal is to complete this relocation within the next 30-45 days.  The Pantry will be moving into the “Old Company Store” that is adjacent to the “Old People’s Bank” building.  Both buildings are at least 110 years old; and deemed historical landmarks.

Company Store at 44 East Main Street, Richwood, WV
The “Old Company Store” located at 44 East Main Street, Richwood, WV

 This is a HUGE undertaking.  Our first task is to clean the buildings of debris.  We NEED VOLUNTEERS to help with this task.    We are starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2016.  Even if you can only help a couple hours, it will be greatly appreciated.

The Nicholas County Empowerment Corporation will be providing Lunch to all that can help.  This is the first step in getting The Pantry and the Nicholas County Child Care Center fully operational.  For more information, please contact Barb Radcliff, Pantry Director,  at 304-846-4479.

Richwood Pantry Relocating

The Richwood Pantry will be relocating.  The plan, subject to approval by the Board of Directors for both the Richwood Pantry and the Nicholas County Empowerment Corporation, is for the Pantry to move to the old “Company Store” located at 44 East Main Street.  There will be more information about this move forthcoming in the near future.

Rebuilding Richwood is moving ahead at a Fast Pace…

Information about FEMA Assistance, SBA Assistance and Rebuild Richwood is being updated weekly (if not daily). To help residents of the community get correct, up to date information, we urge residents to contact Ms. Rita DeMario at 304-846-2271 (she coordinates the volunteer effort at the Armory) and/or Ms. Mary Jane Williams at 304-846-6790 (she works at the Richwood Chamber of Commerce.

Additionally, we are working to develop a Public Service Announcement process that will involve local radio, television and newspaper outlets. We will keep you informed of our progress.

Rebuild Richwood Command Center, FEMA…and more

Lower Oakford Avenue shortly after flood waters recededUpdate:

There is now a Command Center that is coordinating the relief effort in Richwood.  Information regarding:

  • how to make a donation,
  • where and/or how to obtain assistance (FEMA, medical, cleanup, etc.), and
  • how to volunteer in the cleanup effort

can be found at by going to this link.

You can also call the Richwood Family Center at 304-846-2773  for help.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now setting up a Command Center at City Hall, Second Floor. They will be taking applications and working with business owners and residents from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

The National Guard medical unit/dispensary has moved to Camden Family Health (the
office of Doctor Joe Dawson).  The office is located at 58 East Main Street, Richwood, WV 26261.  Phone number is: 304-846-2608.   Again, you can obtain tetanus shots/inoculations and general medical supplies (band-aides, rubbing alcohol, etc.)

Medical Assistance…and More…

AP_Severe_Weather_Richmond_WVa_MEM_160628_12x5_1600
Severe Flooding of downtown Richwood, WV

The National Guard has set up a Medical Unit/Dispensary.  They are located in the mall parking lot behind the Fired Department; and adjacent to the State Farm Insurance office. They are providing tetanus shots and other medical assistance.  If you are in need of medicine, tetanus shots or other medical assistance please visit.  They will be here through the remainder of the week, unless otherwise deployed by the Governor.  The Unit is led by Doctor Carson, who formerly worked for the Summersville Regional Medical Center.

Also, Rite Aid has set up a temporary dispensary at Cherry River Mall.  They are assisting in filling prescriptions.

FEMA Assistance…and more…

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is now available for Nicholas County.  You can apply online by clicking here.

Assistance is provided to all affected residents; which includes property owners, renters and business owners.

To reach FEMA by phone, please call the numbers listed below.

  • 304-872-3911
  • 304-872-3912
  • 304-872-4145
  • 304-872-8444
  • 800-621-3362 (toll free)

Persons receiving assistance through the WV-Department of Health and Human Resources (WV-DHHR) should also apply.  There are several forms of assistance available for affected families.  Start by contacting your DHHR worker.

The Nicholas County Health Department will be providing a “Tetanus Clinic” at the Richwood Public Library located at 8 White Avenue, Richwood, WV.  Shots will be given  in the Conference Room on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Please enter from Lumberjack Street that runs along Cherry River Plaza (between municipal parking lot and the Richwood Volunteer Fire Department).

Now we begin…

The rebuild of Richwood begins.  Yes, there was a flood; the worst in more than 100 years.  There are pictures on social media showing the devastation; so there is no need to burden you with such pictures now.

But, the city and its residents survived.  Now the cleanup and restoration begins.  This is a great time to be a resident of Richwood.  You now have the opportunity to be a part of the city’s revival.

The National Guard has been in town helping with the distribution of food and clothing.  There will soon be a garbage pickup coordinated by the National Guard and the City of Richwood.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be in town sometime Sunday, June 26, 2016, to begin the process of assessing the amount of assistance needed.  All residents affected by the flooding should file damage claims.  More information on how to properly file claims will be forthcoming.

Regarding donations, Fire Chief Tommy Coleman suggests the following:

  • Donations of food that must be cooked and/or clothing; please take these donations to the Moose Lodge, 1 White Avenue, Richwood, WV.  304-846-6163.  The Moose is located across from City Hall.
  • Donations of cleaning supplies and bottled water, take to either the Richwood Volunteer  Fire Department or City Hall.  City Hall is located at 7 White Avenue, Richwood, WV.  Phone number is (304)846-2596.  The Richwood Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) is located at 10 White Avenue, Richwood, WV. Phone number For the RVFD is (304)846-4826. 
  • All other donations take to the Richwood Volunteer Fire Department.

The Richwood Pantry has started a Go Fund Me campaign.  You can make donations by clicking here.

Below is a picture of Richwood on a great, sunny day in 2014.  This is how we want
Richwood to be remembered.  Help us make this happen.

Richwood Skyline
The Richwood Skyline

We are on our way!

Today,  members of the Richwood Pantry began the process of becoming GHP/GAP certified.  What does this do for the Five Rivers initiative.  Full certification and audit allows local farmers to market their produce using distributors like Crook Brothers and U. S. Foods.  It also allows local produce to be sold through grocers like Food Land, Food Lion, Kroger’s and Walmart.

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Member of United Way of Southern West Virginia

Progress is being made…

Richwood Farmers Market_1
The Pantry now operates an Indoor- Farmers’ Market

On Friday, Barbara Radcliff, Director of the Pantry and Norvill Clark visited the West Virginia State Fair. The trip was made to meet with Cindy Martel, Marketing Specialist, of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA). As a result of the trip:

  • The Pantry is now listed with the State of West Virginia as a Food Cooperative. This enables the Pantry to purchase produce at wholesale prices from local growers and distributors.
  • The Pantry is now able to receive promotional assistance from the WVDA.  More on this later.
  • The Pantry is in the process of finding a location to provide locally grown produce to the communities of Richwood, Fenwick, Hinkle Mountain, Dane, New Hope and Nettie.  For the immediate future, the Farmers’ Market is located in the Pantry at 14 Cherry River Plaza, Richwood, WV 26261

It is exciting times at the Pantry.  We will keep you posted.

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Member of United Way of Southern West Virginia