BUCKHANNON — St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur will hold a “Save Lives-Feed Families” blood drive on Tuesday, March 30th at the Event Center at Brushy Fork in Buckhannon.

Social distancing and the cancellation of many blood drives has created an urgent need for healthy, eligible people to donate blood.

The blood will be drawn by Vitalant, the blood supplier for St. Joseph’s Hospital and United Hospital Center. Testing will also be done for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

As part of the blood drive, Vitalant will donate monies to the Upshur Cooperative Parish House Food Pantry for each blood donation made that day. An area will also be set up to accept donations of food for the food pantry by donors and the general public.

Items needed are non-perishable foods including canned vegetables, canned beans, and grape jelly.

To make an appointment to donate blood, go online to Vitalant.org and use group code W4310005 or call 1-304-473-2164 or 1-412-209-7000.