The word about our new Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry,which opened last November, has spread. Many more people have discovered our services and realize that we are an invaluable resource in the community. Thanks to the support of committed donors like you, we have been able not only to move to our current, larger location but also meet the needs of the growing number of families facing food insecurity. Since moving to our new space, we have distributed a total of 68,942 pounds of food — averaging 2,635 pounds more per month than at our previous location.
With the help of a more visible location and media coverage,we are seeing a significant number of new clients. We now are serving 109 new families since our November opening. While we are grateful that generous donations have provided the resources to help our neighbors in need, we are saddened that the economy has put so many people in the position to need our services for the very first time. But, you can help….
You already may have received your Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry appeal in the mail this past week. For this special annual appeal, we partner with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to allow us to reach a much larger group of possible donors. And, we are fortunate to be among the organizations eligible for the Feinstein Foundation challenge grant. This means that the more money and food drive donations we raise before the end of April, the larger percentage of the $1 million grant our Pantry receives. With this added incentive, please take an opportunity to make a generous contribution to help feed those families who need a little extra help. Contributions can be made by responding to the appeal via mail or by going online at any time.
And, if you are looking for a more hands-on way to help our Pantry, please consider
volunteering. Our new client choice shopping model has created many more jobs for enthusiastic volunteers. Even though we have 73 new volunteers (THANK YOU!), we always can use more committed packers, organizers and helping hands.
Your gifts of money and time give hope and provide the much needed nourishment to our neighbors who, without your help, wouldn’t have enough to eat. Thank you.