Food Assistance
According to a recent study, 20.3% of households in Allegheny County do not make enough money to meet basic needs. If you are one of these households you're not alone, and we're here to help if you live within the 15217 zip code area (or outside of 15217 but require kosher food).
If you are having trouble buying enough food for yourself or your family, call us. We can help you with one-time emergency food packages and discuss your enrollment in the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry so you can come on a regular basis to select food and other items.
How We Help
- Emergency food assistance is available in crisis situations.
- Once enrolled as a Pantry client, you will come to the Food Pantry on a regular schedule and choose for yourself which foods you will take home.
- For those unable to come to the Food Pantry (frail elderly or disabled), we'll deliver your food to your residence.
- Participants may choose from among non-perishables, fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), meat or poultry (as available), personal hygiene products and even pet food.
- Many members of our community keep kosher, and we provide both kosher and non-kosher food. The Va'ad HaRabanim of Pittsburgh advises the Pantry with respect to the kosher food certification necessary to properly serve Pantry clients who keep kosher.
Meet the People We Help
-
Ronni is a single mom and a teacher who got injured breaking up a fight between two of her students. Before this, the family had been managing to get by, but didn't have very much extra money for things that were not necessities. While off work on workers compensation (which was about half of her regular her salary), Ronni turned to the Food Pantry for help.
Download PDF -
Alicia and Jeff, already dealing with the difficult situation of a leukemia diagnosis for their 17-year-old son, also struggled to cover the family’s expenses on one income, as Alicia had to stop working in order to care for her son.
Download PDF -
Seniors are one of the largest groups that rely on the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry. 76-year old Phil, like many of our older adult clients, had worked his entire life. His savings and Social Security are just not enough to cover his rent, food, clothing, medicine and other necessities.
Download PDF -
Norman is one of the many disabled adults who rely on the Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry to get by. He got hurt on the job six years ago, when he was 52—not even close to retiring—and he gets disability and SSI (Supplementary Security Income). His wife was (and is) still working, but they were still not able to make ends meet.
Download PDF
*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.
