PARKERSBURG –The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates for more than 30 years has joined its peers to celebrate National Community Foundations Week Nov. 12-18.

Created in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush, the week recognizes the important work of community foundations across America and coincides with National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15.

The local foundation is a permanent charitable foundation founded in 1963 and serves Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, Wood and Washington counties.

It is among a select group accredited by the National Standards for Community Foundations. Accreditation assures the public and supporters that the foundation has sound policies and practices to assure accountability.

“The PACF’s deep knowledge of local needs paired with the many wonderful partnerships that we have with generous area citizens and businesses, provides a giving and granting infrastructure for our community that is built to last,” Judy Sjostedt Ritchie, PACF executive director, said. “We work daily with good people who want to make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens through their giving.”

Community foundations are independent public charities. PACF this past year granted more than $3 million for numerous causes and programs. While the PACF is best known for partnering with citizens to build long-term charitable funds for the betterment of the Mid-Ohio Valley, it also is flexible and positioned to serve as a community leader.

Since spring of 2020, the PACF has been addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many families facing financial and food insecurity as unemployment rose and the region’s nonprofits experiencing increasing demand for services, the PACF and its donors stepped up with leadership and support.

PACF enlisted help from individuals, other funders and area businesses and nonprofits to determine how to best allocate resources among regional needs and raise additional funds for community concerns.

To date, the PACF’s efforts have delivered more than $450,000 to address its four identified COVID-19 Relief community priorities: essential services, financial hardship relief, access to food, and health services.

“Our region is home to some of the most generous and caring people,” Sjostedt Ritchie said. “The PACF does its best to provide area citizens with the greatest value for their support and to return as much as possible for the good of the region. We are very grateful for the support of our region’s citizens–everything we’ve ever done and all we can ever do is the direct result of their generous support.”

For more details about the foundation, call 304-428-4438 or visit www.pacfwv.com.