JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry: Nourishing Community for 25 Years
25 years ago, with the support from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, the Kosher SuperPantry began with a few shelves and a big mission: no one in our community should go hungry.
Today, the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry serves over 1,000 households every year, offering people of all backgrounds, faiths, and circumstances fresh produce, culturally appropriate foods, and resources that go beyond nourishment.
However, we are facing a critical moment. The number of people relying on the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is already increasing each month, and we expect that number to rise sharply in the coming months.
Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pose a serious threat to food security in our region. 42% of the individuals we serve benefit from SNAP. Recent funding cuts and stricter work requirements that have just gone into effect mean 10,000 people in Pittsburgh may lose SNAP benefits, with many turning to the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry for support. In addition, starting today immigrants who do not have a green card will lose SNAP benefits with very few exceptions. To learn more about the SNAP cuts, who is affected, and what actions you can take, click here.
Dr Jordan Golin, JFCS CEO, looks towards the future, “Here’s the good news: we are not starting from scratch. We are already a community that shows up. You – our donors, our volunteers, our partners – have built something strong, responsive, and deeply rooted in compassion.”
Together, we will continue to adapt, grow, and ensure that no one in our community is left behind. Thank you to all of our donors, partners and volunteers for standing with us – in celebration and in solidarity.
UpStreet’s Teen Mental Health Impact Continues to Grow
UpStreet is proud to be a #HighmarkBrightBlueFutures awardee! Thanks to the Highmark Foundation, this incredible recognition empowers our mission to make mental health support more accessible, compassionate, and stigma-free for teens in our community.
We are dedicated to preventing crises before they start, uplifting young lives, and working towards a future where seeking help is a sign of strength—not shame.
The future is bright and we’re just getting started.
Uplifting Lives, Building Bridges: Dana Gold Receives Community Recognition
We are thrilled to celebrate Dana Gold, Chief Operating Officer of JFCS, as the recipient of the 2025 Morton “Moe” Coleman Award for Excellence in Community Service and the Mary Ann Troper-Malley Partner in Justice Award.
These prestigious honors, presented by the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics and the Allegheny County Bar Association, respectively, recognize Dana’s lifelong commitment to uplifting our region through visionary leadership, advocacy, and compassion.
Throughout her career, she has founded nonprofit organizations, including Bridge House and Sojourner House in Pittsburgh, which support individuals overcoming homelessness and addiction; launched initiatives in South Africa to care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS; and designed Broke The Game: The Board Game to create empathy for people who are experiencing poverty.
Last November, when she saw rising risks for immigrants, she rallied leaders from across the region to form a united front. That effort became the Collaborative for Immigrant Impact, made up of 18 organizations, that has raised over $3.75 million to support urgent legal, safety, and emergency needs of immigrants in our community.
Her work not only improves lives—it inspires others to serve, connect, and lead with purpose. Please join us in congratulating Dana on this well-deserved recognition!
JFCS Standing Up to Protect Unaccompanied Children
JFCS joins Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights along with 21 local and national agencies to condemn recent ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) interviews of unaccompanied children in U.S. custody.
We are calling for an immediate halt to these interviews which violate trauma-informed care and legal protections. JFCS will continue to stand up for all unaccompanied children from any country of origin and advocate for their safety, dignity, and due process.
Uncertainty is the New Normal—Stress Management Techniques that Work
Stress, the ever-encompassing word that shows up everywhere we look.
When you’re doom scrolling social media or biting your cuticles, that’s when we can refer to “stress” as overwhelm, increasing nervousness or worry, or maybe even a sense of dread. We cannot avoid stress in our daily routines, but experiencing too much can hinder us from reaching our goals.
That’s where coping techniques and stress management techniques come in. JFCS Counseling Services compiled coping skills and tips to manage stress, so you can find what works best for you.
Upcoming Events
Explore new career opportunities and network with local employers at the job fair!
Join us for the Fall Job Fair on October 10 from 11 am – 2 pm at CLP – Main (Oakland). Speak with over 20 hiring representatives, bring you resume and be ready to make connections!
This job fair is free and open to the public.