Help Your Neighbors Fight Food Insecurity

Did you know that one in five people are food insecure in Pittsburgh? With inflation rising, and grocery prices and wages staying the same, more families are struggling to put food on the table. Pennsylvania recently expanded its eligibility for both the State Food Purchase Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Check out this resource page from Trying Together to learn if you qualify for food assistance.

And if you’d like to help your hungry neighbors ahead of Thanksgiving, here’s a list of food banks and pantries to donate to:

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food BankThere are a variety of ways that individuals, gardeners, restaurants, farms, and grocery retailers can give to the food bank. Visit this page to learn more. The easiest way to help is through monetary donations so that the bank can purchase items in bulk.

412 Food RescueIf you operate a restaurant, grocery story, or local farm, you can donate surplus food to 412 Food Rescue. Read more guidelines here. Don’t work in food service? Sign up to be a Food Rescue Hero and deliver meals to neighbors in need.

North Hills Food BankDonations needed: Juice (orange, cranberry, apple), variety oatmeal packets, dry noodles, canned vegetables and beans, crackers, tomato sauce, water, and more. Find the full list here.

Light of Life Rescue MissionTheir annual drive asks for a donation of $2.58 to give a nourishing Thanksgiving meal to an unhoused neighbor and $50 to give a family a Thanksgiving Dinner Box. This year, their goal is to deliver 2,000 boxes for seniors and families in need.

North Side Food PantryThe pantry currently needs reusable grocery bags (cloth or very heavy plastic bags). Otherwise, monetary donations are most helpful.

JFCS Squirrel Hill Food PantryNonperishable food, personal care items, and diapers are always accepted by the pantry. You can also make a monetary donation.