Registration InformationIndividuals can register online for the Summer Food Program on the Westmoreland Food Bank’s online page. The Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh also encourages families to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so they can automatically enroll in the new SUN Bucks Pennsylvania. program, which provides more budget for groceries during the summer months. To see if you are eligible for SNAP, visit the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank’s website or call 412-460-3663.
One in six young people in the Pittsburgh domain lives in a situation of food insecurity. In 2021, it will be one in eight.
Kelsey Gross, director of child nutrition systems at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, says the greatest need will be met with loose food this summer.
“We know that many families are struggling to make ends meet this summer due to higher grocery costs, emerging application expenses and housing costs,” Gross said. “We need to make sure that all families know that these sites will offer food to all children. , without conditions. “
Feeding America tracks a lack of trust in food and federally funded nutrition programs, such as the Summer Youth Café, which aims to supply directly where it’s needed most.
“We hope families have a in the neighborhood,” Gross said. “If not, we’d like to hear from you so we can work on building those in your neighborhoods next summer. “
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank serves a domain of 11 counties covering southwestern Pennsylvania, only Westmoreland County, which has its own food bank offering similar programs.
Any child 18 and older can get free food by visiting a Summer Youth Café site. Cafes are located in a variety of places, including local parks, churches, schools, libraries, and other gathering spaces.
“There’s been an increase in the number of scholars participating in our programs,” Gross said.
The places to dine in summer will be different depending on the location that offers breakfast, lunch, snacks or takeaway.
The Westmoreland County Food Bank has been providing summer food systems for over years.
Participation in the program remains high, according to Michelle Heller, director of systems for the Westmoreland Food Bank.
“When we did this with Covid, it was close to 800 kids a day, so even now, I bet it’s going to stay close to that,” Heller said.
The food bank will operate at 10 locations through Aug. 9, usually between 10 a. m. and noon from Monday to Thursday. Most places will offer takeout stations with microwave-safe frozen or bloodless meal options. Breakfast is also included in some places.
Murrysville Christian Concerns Friends Thrift Shop in Export has been hosting for 4 years and will be offering frozen food for the first time this year.
Dan Plance, manager of the thrift store, said he is encouraged by what the new option brings.
“This year we are going to make a frozen lunch that is tastier. It’s only the second day, but it turns out it’s going even better,” Plance said shortly after the show began.
Nearly two dozen children are receiving food at Murrysville Christian, and officials expect that number to reach more than 30 by the end of the summer.
Dave Rankin, executive director of Faith Communities Partners, a nonprofit, is helping to bring food to Westmoreland sites.
“Programs like this help kids stay active during the summer,” Rankin said. It’s great to be a component of systems like this where kids are in a safe position during the summer. These systems help keep kids’ minds active during the summer.
“Our role is to make sure that children don’t go hungry,” Rankin said.
Bill Godfrey is president of the Natrona Comes Together Association, which sponsors a café at Natrona Riverfront Park in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood.
“It is an economically depressed region. The food is very suitable for children,” he said.
Godfrey said the desires have shown no signs of abating.
“It’s very gratifying – we’ve been doing this for 19 years and now we have moms who have participated in the program and are bringing their kids. We have committed thousands of hours of network service to this network.
Natrona Comes Together has partnered with the Pittsburgh Zoo, Carnegie Science Center, and the Phipps Conservatory to provide loose food and help young students get through the summer months.
Andrew Wright, 14, volunteers at Riverfront Park.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. To come back here for the summer like I’ve done for the last few years and help the community, do the right thing and be here with my circle of family and friends. “
Wright said what she likes most this year is being served food in the pavilion.
“It feels smart to be able to be served this year in the pavilion and not outdoors in the pews,” he said.
Rachael Mckrell said the program provides convenient access.
“It’s helping me a lot, especially with my son who is 8 years old and goes to school. He gives her breakfast and lunch,” he said. He is also helping me with my 2-year-old son, so we can enjoy the park. “and loose lunches. “
Mckrell likes to take her kids to those systems because they offer so much more than loose summer lunches.
“Arts and crafts, they make tie-dyed shirts, they do a lot of things when they just have the park here,” she said. “It’s actually great for them to have activities during the day besides loose lunches. “
Volunteer Clarissa Ankney, from Natrona Heights, is helping distribute food to youth in Riverfront Park.
“It’s an honor,” Ankney said. My brother and I grew up here and attended events, we thought it was a wonderful experience and to be a part of it is amazing. “
Ankney was once at the children’s house, going to summer youth cafes with her brother. Now he can afford it, he said.
“It’s helping me and making me feel like I’ve been contributing to my network since I was born and raised here,” Ankney said. “It makes me feel like I’m playing a role in helping the network expand friendships, families, and meet other people in the neighborhood. “
Registration InformationIndividuals can register online for the Summer Food Program on the Westmoreland Food Bank’s online page. The Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh also encourages families to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so they can automatically enroll in the new SUN Bucks Pennsylvania. program, which provides more budget for groceries during the summer months. To see if you are eligible for SNAP, visit the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank’s website or call 412-460-3663.
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