All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Parish House looking for donations as they prepare to distribute summer and back-to-school backpacks

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur Cooperative Parish House is always looking for donations of peanut butter and jelly, as well as hygiene items.

Isaac Casto, the Parish House executive director, said they are always looking for food items that can be prepared easily and quickly.

“There is always a need for peanut butter and jelly in our pantry,” Casto said. “It’s just one of those things that’s a good, easy source of food for people, regardless of their situation. Some people are unhoused or in transitional housing, and this is summer, with kids being out of school — that’s something they can easily make. It seems like we’re having a hard time keeping cans of pasta sauce, and then our personal hygiene items are something we always need: deodorant, toothpaste, anything like that.”

The Parish House is also preparing for its Summer Break Bag distribution, which will take place from July 15 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Our summer bags are similar to what we did during spring break,” Casto said. “They are food bags for Upshur County students that may be food insecure, with more or less a week’s worth of food or snacks. They can come in, and we don’t take any information other than the name of whoever’s picking it up and then what school the child goes to.”

The Parish House is also gathering items for their back-to-school backpack giveaway in August.

“That’s where we have backpacks filled with homework supplies and personal hygiene items for all Pre-K through 12th grade Upshur County students,” Casto said. “We will pack those at the end of July, and then that distribution will start Aug. 7. That’s a Wednesday, and it’ll go a week from there, so Wednesday to Tuesday. We’ll start advertising that more once we get closer to it.”

All Parish House donations can be made at their location at 68 College Ave. Items needed for the back-to-school backpacks include backpacks (15-17″ or larger), single-subject spiral notebooks, packs of 24-count Crayola crayons, pocket folders, glue sticks, blank index cards (3×5″), highlighters, packs of markers, safety scissors, pencil sharpeners, loose leaf paper (wide or college-ruled), and hygiene supplies: deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste and hairbrush/comb.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Academy Elementary to present “December in My Hometown” musical performance at Wesley Chapel

Buckhannon Academy Elementary will present its December in My Hometown musical at Wesley Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., showcasing diverse songs from all grade levels after months of practice.

Beverly woman charged with drug conspiracy involving methamphetamine

A 37-year-old woman faces five to 30 years in prison after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered drugs, cash and text messages about purchasing a pound of methamphetamine.

Upshur County Schools announces Pre-K registration days for January

Upshur County Schools has announced Pre-K Registration Days at schools throughout the county in January. Parents can register their youngest learners at various locations starting Jan. 9.

Dustin Lee Young

Dustin Lee Young, 43, of Orlando, WV, a Buckhannon-Upshur High School graduate who loved the outdoors, movies and animals, died December 4, 2025; visitation and funeral will be held at Clutter Funeral and Cremation.

Robert Dale Cable

Robert Dale Cable, 90, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired oil and gas drill manager, Mason and Sand Run Baptist Church member who loved hunting and family, died December 3, 2025, and will be cremated; donations to Shriners Children Hospital or Sand Run Baptist Church.

Man arrested for DUI after February crash on Route 33 causes juvenile to suffer brain bleed

A 39-year-old man was arrested last week in relation to a February incident where he allegedly rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light, causing a juvenile passenger to be flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital with a brain bleed.

WVWC launches BobcAT Early Assurance Program for future athletic trainers

West Virginia Wesleyan College is offering high school students a new pathway to earn a Master of Athletic Training degree in just five years.

Buckhannon Community Theatre brings holiday magic to stage with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR

Holiday magic hits the Colonial Arts Center this weekend as Buckhannon Community Theatre presents the 60-minute, family-friendly Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR, celebrating the joy of being uniquely you.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 15: The end is here

The new four-class setup delivered a lopsided West Virginia high school football semifinals, and Duane breaks down why as he previews this weekend’s championships. He also reacts to WVU and Marshall missing bowls and shares Week 15 picks plus a readers’ contest update.