Movement to promote pantry

Local Ironton movement “People Motivating Other People,” or #PMOP was started by ex-drug dealer Charles McCall after getting into trouble and returning from a period of incarceration, wanting to change his life for the better.

“Charles has a conviction history and started PMOP to show people that he wanted to turn his life around,” Dusty Bryant, McCall’s girlfriend, said. “He didn’t realize people look up to him as much as they do.”

A “Scrub for Grub” car wash will be put on by #PMOP in order to raise food for Harvest for the Hungry Food Pantry, where people can bring non-perishable food items in return for getting their cars washed.

“We wanted to do something different that didn’t involve money, but involved helping other people in the community,” Bryant said.

People Motivating Other People has been very involved in the community, selling #PMOP shirts as well as being a sponsor for the annual Kingz of the Kourtz basketball tournament.

“We wanted to let people know that it’s not all about making money, but it’s a serious thing that we’re trying to build.”

Bryant said #PMOP is working with other similar movements, #RiseAbove, out of Louisa, Kentucky, started by recovering drug addict Matt Brown and “Newness of Life,” out of Huntington, West Virginia, started by recovering drug addict Justin Ponpon, who will also both host car washes on the same day to see who can raise the most food.

The “Scrub for Grub” car wash is set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 in the Ironton Advance Auto Parts parking lot on Park Avenue.