Squirrel Hill Kosher SuperPantry Changes Name

PITTSBURGH, PA – February 27, 2007—Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh announces that, effective immediately, the Squirrel Hill Kosher SuperPantry (which is administered by Jewish Family & Children's Service) will be known as the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. According to JF&CS Executive Director Aryeh Sherman, the new name provides a better representation of what the pantry is and who it serves.

While the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry provides kosher food, its mission is to serve all the needy in zip code area 15217, without regard to race, sex, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability or age  The pantry also serves the needy outside the 15217 zip code area who require kosher food. The pantry currently serves approximately 500 individuals. However, a review committee set up to, among other things, identify the full extent of need in the 15217 zip code area, found that there are many more individuals and families who qualify for food assistance, but who do not avail themselves of, or are not aware of, existing resources that can help in their time of need. According to the last Jewish Community Study, more than 2,000 individuals in our community qualify for food assistance.

"The name Squirrel Hill Food Pantry was chosen because it is straightforward," says JF&CS Executive Director Aryeh Sherman. "We try everyday to ensure that no one in our community experiences the devastating effects of hunger. Although we provide our clients with the supportive services they need to achieve and maintain stability, people come to us primarily because they can't afford to buy adequate food for themselves and their families.

The new name takes away any confusion since it addresses the basic need for food. All 15217 residents who qualify for food assistance should know that the Pantry is here as a resource for them and feel comfortable coming to us for help."

For more information regarding this release, please contact 
Laurie Gottlieb 
412-586-3738 (office)
412-523-3891 (mobile)
lgottlieb@jfcspgh.org

ABOUT SQUIRREL HILL FOOD PANTRY

The Squirrel Hill Food Pantry was established in 1998, as the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, 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. Administered by Jewish Family & Children's Service, the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is a member agency of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and serves all those in the 15217 zip code area who qualify for food assistance, as well as those outside the 15217 zip code area who qualify for food assistance and require kosher food. Services are provided without regard to race, sex, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability or age.