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Fall Food Drives

Once again, the Pantry’s generous friends and supporters have closed out 2018 with a bang. Many food drives over the fall provided thousands of pounds of food gratefully appreciated by Pantry clients. Food drive food is especially wonderful because it supplements the Pantry’s regular stock with all kinds of different food, treats, ethnic foods, sauces and pickles – you just never know what you’ll find in a food drive bag. These are items the Pantry cannot afford to purchase. This makes it possible for families to expand their food choices and try interesting new dishes. Variety is indeed the spice of life.

The final total of last fall’s High Holiday Food Drive came to over 5,000 pounds! Congregations all around the Pittsburgh area participated with food drives and donated funds. Every year we are amazed by the extensive efforts of the Jewish community to spread cheer at the high holidays.

In November, employees at Cardno ChemRisk held a “can creation” competition at work. Wishing to express solidarity with the Jewish community and Squirrel Hill residents following October’s shooting tragedy, they chose to fashion their sculpture after the ‘Broken Heart’ design created by Chris Preksta which has been seen around town on t-shirts sold by Steel City.

Afterward, they donated all the cans to the Pantry and came to volunteer!

Each year a couple of groups that participate in the Jewish Federation’s annual Mitzvah Day choose to help the Pantry. This year we received 150 homemade lasagnas and 100 birthday bags! Gifts like these convey the compassion and care our supporters give to the Pantry and the people it serves. Thank you to everyone in the community who helped make these, and a special ‘Thanks!’ to The Jewish Federation and Beverly’s Birthdays for making this happen.

And in December, our regular Tuesday volunteer Lyn Ackerman and the Lady Loungers Writing Group chose the Pantry as the recipient of their first year-end charity gift. Following a writing class, Lyn and her fellow students kept meeting and writing together as the Lady Loungers Writing Group. Lyn introduced them to the Pantry and the people it helps. Thank you Lyn for expanding our circle of donors and friends!
Other food drives were also much appreciated and critical to keeping the Pantry stocked. We are so grateful for all of the nonprofits, community members, corporations, schools and many more who donated funds and food to support the Pantry after the Tree of Life tragedy.

All these acts of kindness prove that as a community we are stronger together!

Photo: Pantry volunteer Natalie holding a yummy lasagna!