MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local businesses from around the Morgantown area are working with area nonprofits to support those who may be struggling to put food on the table this holiday season.
Tattoo studio Pattysartspot has started a collection of nonperishable food items as part of a partnership with the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties that will take place at the downtown Morgantown and Sabraton locations. Owner Patricia Loy-Colebank encourages Morgantown residents that are looking to get a tattoo and support nonprofits that are working into overdrive this year to drop off any non-perishable items, where an opportunity to win prizes will be available for those who donate.
“We are a drop-off spot for any non-perishable item that anybody has for Christmas for donations for the United Way of Mon and Preston County,” said Loy-Colebank. “And that is for any non-perishable.”
According to Loy-Colebank, any non-perishable food items will be accepted throughout the month of December, though representatives with the United Way MPC are encouraging people to donate items that would normally be seen during the holidays. This includes any canned vegetables and canned meats that were regularly requested during independent food drives hosted by local businesses throughout October of this year. While Pattysartspot will accept any donations throughout the rest of the year, customers are encouraged to donate any items that can be put on a dinner table during the holidays.
“They’re really focusing on Christmas even though we’re taking donations up to the New Year,” said Loy-Colebank. “I think they want people to really be thinking about Christmas, so what would you want at your Christmas meal, Cranberries, sauces, instant mashed potatoes, that kind of stuff.”
Pattysartspot will also host a special promotion as part of the food drive to support United Way MPC that will continue throughout the rest of the year. Anyone who donates up to 10 items or donates $10 will have the opportunity to enter their name in the raffle for a $50 gift certificate towards their next appointment. All donations will go directly towards people in need who live in Monongalia and Preston Counties.
“We’re doing something fun at our location where if you bring 10 items or $10, you can get a raffle ticket for a $50 gift certificate,” said Loy-Colebank.
The collection of donations by Pattysartspot throughout the holiday season and until the start of the new year will continue a partnership that took place as part of holiday food drives last year. This will also coincide with food and donation drive efforts around the Morgantown community over the next month, with food and toy drives hosted by organizations such as the Salvation Army expected to begin right around Thanksgiving. For Loy-Colebank and her employees at Pattysartsspot, it’s a great opportunity to give back to those who need it.
“We’re here from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and (we’re doing this to) just remember to always be a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Loy-Colebank.