History
The Squirrel Hill Food Pantry was founded in 1998 after the Jewish Healthcare Foundation identified the existence of hunger among many Jewish families in Pittsburgh and the lack of a facility that met the needs of those who kept kosher.
Over the years, the Food Pantry has experienced significant growth in the number of households served, volunteerism and fundraising to better serve the people in our community who rely on the food and supportive services we provide. We now serve more than 700 people, with the help of an equal number of volunteers (a good subset of which are "regulars") and the financial support of numerous individuals, corporations, foundations and food vendors.
1998
- The Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is founded (as the Squirrel Hill Kosher SuperPantry).
- Under a three-year grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation to serve people in need in the 15217 zip code area, as well as those outside of 15217 who require kosher food. Family Resources is the start-up manager and Rainbow Kitchen the initial fiscal agent, with operations based on the upper level of the former Wightman School in Squirrel Hill.
1999
- Squirrel Hill Food Pantry becomes part of JF&CS
- Administration of the Food Pantry transitions to Jewish Family & Children's Service, with continued funding for operations by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.
2000
- Life Skills program established under a grant from the Ladies Hospital Aid Society (LHAS).
- This program provided training and education on a variety of issues addressing self-support, such as how to manage bank accounts, do a job search, manage personal expenses and provide nutritional meals for their family. Annual funding from LHAS enabled us to run this program through our 2004-2005 fiscal year.
2000
- Food Pantry relocates.
- The volume of clients having grown beyond expectation and capacity of our Wightman Street facility, the Food Pantry relocates to our current location at 5842 Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill.
2002
- Established annual direct mail fundraising program to raise designated dollars for the Food Pantry.
- UJF partners with us, sending our appeal as a special appeal of the United Jewish Federation on behalf of the Food Pantry to combined UJF-JFCS-Food Pantry list.
2003
- November 2003 the United Jewish Federation convened a KSP Review Committee to examine current food pantry operations and make recommendations regarding its future.
- The Food Pantry Review Committee recommended, among other things, that a task force be established to write a business plan for the food pantry incorporating the committee's recommendations.
2003
- Established a new fundraising program, Centerpieces for Tzedakah.
- In this program, community members rent food centerpiece and large floor baskets in lieu of flowers for special occasions.
2003
- Food Pantry holds its first fundraising event, Chili in June.
- This offered a meager meal of chili to help raise awareness of hunger and raise funds to continue serving our communities neediest individuals and families.
2004
- First annual Music With a Mission benefitting the Food Pantry is held.
- Organized by the Brotherhood of Rodef Shalom Congregation, each year the brotherhood holds this concert to raise money for the Food Pantry. Admission is a food or monetary donation for the Food Pantry.
2005
- 4Q05, 14-member task force (established as next step in the findings of the 2003 KSP Review Committee) delivers comprehensive business plan for the 2006 calendar year.
- Goals of the business plan form the basis of long-term strategic plan.
2006
- Hungry4Bingo, the Food Pantry's second fundraising event.
- Raises much-needed funds in support of the growing need for food assistance in our community.
2007
- Squirrel Hill Kosher SuperPantry is renamed the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry.
- In order to more clearly position our core service and population served (all persons in the 15217 zip code area that qualify for food assistance, regardless of religion, race, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability or age).
2007
- The Fresh Produce program is founded.
- Kicked off with a grant from the Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy program, enabled us to purchase a commercial size refrigerator to store fresh produce. Annual Fresh Produce appeal helps to ensure our ability to include fresh fruits, vegetables (and poultry or meat, when applicable) in our distributions.
2008
- Initiates community collection barrel program.
- Underwritten by a generous community member, the Food Pantry purchased a number of food collection barrels which are placed throughout the community, providing an additional means of procuring food for Pantry clients.
2010
- Moves to 828 Hazelwood Avenue.
- In order to meet the growing number of clients eligible for food assistance, the Pantry relocated to a larger space at 828 Hazelwood Avenue.
- Adds "Community" to Name.
- We added the word "Community" to our name to stress inclusivity and also moved from a traditional pantry model to a client choice model giving clients the freedom to choose for themselves the food they will receive and consume (thus increasing client dignity and helping to prolong precious Pantry resources by reducing wasted food as clients throw away food items they cannot use, cannot prepare or simply do not want).
- Converts to Client Choice Food Pantry.
- We also are no longer a kosher pantry, but continue to maintain kosher sections under advisement of the Va’ad HaRabanim with respect to the kosher food certification necessary to properly serve clients who keep kosher.
