December 8, 2023 2023 Food Resources Organizations around the Greater Pittsburgh area are providing food distributions and pantry resources to serve those needing assistance through December 2023. (This article was updated on December 8, 2023 to reflect the latest distribution events and schedules). FOOD ASSISTANCE UPDATES: SNAP Benefit Amount Increases October 2023 New Food Safety Fact Sheets Available Free Breakfast Offered for the 2023-24 School Year Resources for Changes to SNAP Benefits Food Distribution Events Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, 7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15208 | 12 – 5 p.m. Visit The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center every Monday from 12 – 5 p.m. to receive free food items, including sandwiches, fruit, baked goods, and more! Participants may pick up a variety of perishable food items on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. This food distribution is walk-in only. Food items are provided by 412 Food Rescue. Visit Trying Together’s events webpage to view The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center food distribution schedule. For more information, call The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center at 412.545.5039. Veterans Leadership Program Pittsburgh Military Share Food Distribution 2934 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15201 | 12 p.m. – until supplies are gone. Monday, 12/11 All veterans in need of food are welcome. For more information, email info@vlpwpa.org. Community Human Services (CHS) Food Pantry Distribution 370 Lawn Street, Pittsburgh, Pa, 15213 Food consists of bread, pastries, bottled water, dairy items which include butter, cheese, milk, and eggs, household goods such as paper towels, pet food (cats/dogs), fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, canned goods, pasta, and meat options which include pork, turkey, fish, and beef. There are no income eligibility requirements to access this pantry. Walk up distribution only. No delivery. The only requirement to access the pantry is to complete a brief demographic intake form which can be completed on the day. Intake forms do not ask for ID or immigration status. Wednesday, 12/13 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, 12/14 | 3 – 6 p.m. Wednesday 12/20 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, 12/21 | 3 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, 12/27 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, 12/28 | 3 – 6 p.m. Any questions can go directly to the head of the pantry at cmcwhertor@chscorp.org or 412.246.1639. Islamic Center of Pittsburgh Food Distribution 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213 | Saturday, 12/16 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. The food pantry is open for walk-ins every third Saturday of each month. Please register for a box from the food pantry prior to arrival. The registration form opens on the last week of each month and closes on the first week of the new month. For more information, email foodpantry@icp-pgh.org or text us at 412.206.1993. Baldwin Community UMC Lord’s Pantry 5001 Baptist Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15236 | Friday, 12/15 (a week earlier due to Christmas)| 12 – 2:30 p.m. This is a drive through food distribution held on the fourth Thursday of the month in the church circle. Please do not arrive before 9:30 a.m. to get in line. For more information or to help with the distribution, contact Susan Eyrolles at 412.882.9300, ext. 229 or email seyrolles@baldwincommunityumc.com. Veterans Leadership Program Johnstown Military Share Food Distribution 727 Goucher Street, Johnstown, Pa. 15905 | Friday, 12/22 | 12 p.m. – until supplies are gone. All veterans in need of food are welcome. For more information, email info@vlpwpa.org. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Distribution Schedules Allegheny County Drive-Up Distribution Schedule Allegheny Valley JC Penney at the Galleria, 590 Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard, Tarentum, PA. 15084 Tuesday, 12/12 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. McKeesport Founders Hall Middle School, 1960 Eden Park Boulevard, McKeesport, PA. 15132 Saturday, 12/16 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. West End Ascension Church, 114 Berry Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15205 Tuesday, 12/19 | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Wilkinsburg (This distribution will have pre-packed boxes) 225 Penn Avenue (Intersection of Penn Avenue and North Trenton), Pittsburgh, PA. 15221 Saturday, 12/02 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Allegheny County Walk-In Distribution Schedule Oakland/Schenley Plaza 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260 Wednesday, 12/06 | 3:30 – 5 p.m. Southside (This distribution will have pre-packed boxes) Southside Market House, 12th and Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15203 Wednesday, 12/20 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. Homewood Faison K-5, 7430 Tioga Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15208 Saturday, 12/09 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Northside Pittsburgh King PreK-8, 50 Montgomery Place, Pittsburgh, PA. 15212 Saturday, 12/09 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. Additional Resources Local Resources Find food distributions and access based on zip code or region by visiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Find Food online tool. For other resources, visit the Resource Beyond Food webpage. If you are a senior, or know a senior, that needs food assistance, visit the Senior Boxes webpage to learn more. Share this flyer with your networks. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Market is an onsite pantry where eligible neighbors can shop for grocery items at no cost. Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 1 – 4p.m. *Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to closing. Find more information and the 2023 distribution calendar.
September 20, 2022 State Interagency Coordinating Council Family Meet & Greet Families of children receiving Early Intervention (EI) Services are invited to attend the upcoming State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) Family Meet & Greet. Learn More The State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is a Governor appointed council that ensures integrated Early Intervention (EI) programs and services. Families of children who receive EI services can participate in this virtual event to meet one another, network, and share resources with each other. This event will take place on Thursday, October 6 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The SICC Meeting will immediately follow. Participation in this following meeting is optional, but welcome. Families must register for this event and can direct any questions to Sadia Batool at c-sabatool@pa.gov.
August 1, 2022 Local Kindergarten Transition & Back to School Programming Summer is almost coming to an end and children are getting ready to head back to school. To help with the transition, local community organizations and family centers are offering fun programming that makes this time special, informative, and exciting. Local Events Latino Community Center (LCC) Back to School Bash – Saturday, August 6 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each year, LCC hosts an annual Back-to-School Bash in partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Latinx children and youth in Pittsburgh. This event serves over 200 students each year and features a day of fun, family-oriented activities at PNC Park designed to get our children and youth excited to start the upcoming school year. Backpacks filled with new school supplies are handed out to students during the day. Additionally, LCC’s extensive network of partner organizations come together to table at the event and talk to our families about their services – ensuring families have everything they need to support their children during the school year. Plum Library Kindergarten Bootcamp – Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Plum Borough Community Library will offer a wide range of fun activities for children entering kindergarten. They will review kindergarten concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes while practicing social-emotional skills like sharing, lining up, transitioning, and group work. Each day will offer circle time, reading a book together, math activities, and learning stations based on various themes. Register online as space is limited. Children are asked to attend both days if registered. North Hills Community Outreach Back to School Supplies Distribution – Multiple Dates Every summer, NHCO collects new backpacks and school supplies to distribute to hundreds of local children. NHCO will distribute supplies for students preschool through high school. If you would like to arrange a pickup, please contact: Vicki Burstynowicz Locations: Greenstone United Methodist Church, 939 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA Monday, August 8 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. NHCO Millvale, 416 Lincoln Ave Millvale, PA Thursday, August 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. NHCO Headquarters, 1975 Ferguson Road Allison Park, PA Tuesday, August 16 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: Kindergarten: Here I Come! – Saturday, August 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Children’s Museum is bringing back their 16th annual kindergarten readiness celebration, Kindergarten: Here I Come! Children entering kindergarten in the fall can experience a day full of fun activities, resources and learning from Children’s Museum staff and partners from around the city featuring: a real school bus, back-to-school giveaways, resources for parents on topics such as vaccination, healthy nutrition and more. This event is free for one rising kindergarten student and one accompanying adult. Additional attendees can attend with $8 admission. Carnegie Science Center: Kinder Kickoff Event – Friday, August 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early learners entering Kindergarten are invited to Carnegie Science Center for their annual Kinder Kickoff Event to receive school supply bags, their very own Science Center lab coat, and other supplies to get them ready for the school year. In addition to the items, early learners and one adult will receive complimentary general admission (first come, first serve) to enjoy additional science demos and other programming. Salvation Army Back to School Bash – Saturday, August 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army is accepting reservations for the annual Back to School Bash at the Salvation Army Center located at 917 Brackenridge Ave, Brackenridge. Children must live in the following zip code areas to attend: 15006, 15014, 15030, 15032, 15049, 15065, 15075, 15076, 15084 and 15238 and must attend the event to receive a backpack. Reservations are required. For reservations, call 724-224-6310, ext. 1 or stop in at the center. No reservations will be accepted the day of the event. PAAR Back to School Wellness Event – Sunday, August 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Child and Family Counseling Center (CFCC) and PAAR are partnering with local Pittsburgh businesses to provide students with what they need to start this school year feeling confident. Get school supplies while having fun by enjoying treats, giveaways, and activities that empower students to stay well throughout the school year. This event and all giveaways are all free. For more information, please call PAAR at 412-431-5665. Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Back to School Event – Monday, August 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every year, PPS welcomes thousands of families to an event designed to equip families with the resources necessary to achieve a healthy start to the 2022-2023 school year. Presented by PNC, #PittsburghForPPS is open to all current Pittsburgh Public School students and will take place in the North Shore at Gold Lot 1 (W. General Robinson Street) and Acrisure Stadium. Families can participate in the event in three ways: Drive Through: Family can drive through Gold Lot 1A to pick up stuffed bookbags, food, masks, hand sanitizer, books, and more! In person: Pre-registration is required. Families who would like to receive a free haircut, hairstyle, and/or manicure are invited to park and visit the FedEx Great Hall at Acrisure Stadium for those amenities. Families are invited to up stuffed bookbags, food, masks, hand sanitizer, books after hair and nail care services. Bus stop drop off: Beginning at noon, families can visit one of 15 bus stops across the city to pick up stuffed book bags while supplies last. The Kingsley Association’s Back-to-School Summer Jam – Friday, August 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Kingsley Association has teamed up with a host of community partners to host their Back-to-School Summer Jam! They’ll be hosting backpack giveaways, activities, and raffles for youth and families alike. Join them at 100 Larimer Avenue for bounce houses, on-site barbers and hairdresseres, music, an arcade truck, and more!
December 17, 2020 DAP Series Parts II and III Now Available Trying Together is excited to announce Parts II and III of the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series. Through these Parts, information and resources on Childhood Physical Health and Child Care were added to the Series. About As an early childhood nonprofit, Trying Together recognizes that a child’s parent is their first and most important caregiver. That’s why we created the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series to assist parents and caregivers in creating high-quality learning experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. The series features digital and print content that provides information on critical early childhood topics. As of December 17, 2020, three Parts have been published, including: Part I: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Part II: Childhood Physical Health, and Part III: Child Care. Resources will continue to be added through 2022 as additional Parts are finalized. Featured Resources The Series features many helpful resources for families. To help you get started, Trying Together compiled a short list of featured resources for each Part. Part I: Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Developmentally Appropriate Practice: A Guide for Parents Developmentally Appropriate Practice: A Guide for Caregivers of Infants and Toddlers Creating Play Rich Environments: Incorporating DAP at Home Play and Physical Activity Guide for Educators & Families Part II: Childhood Physical Health Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health Exercise Together with Darnell Campbell Childhood Physical Health: Resources Part III: Child Care How to Find, Choose, and Pay for High-Quality Child Care Child Care and Education Planning Tools Questions to Ask Early Learning Professionals Questions for Your Early Learning Provider During COVID-19 Navigating the Series The Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series features a search bar and filtering options to connect parents and caregivers to content that is relevant to them. Caregivers can filter available content by Topic, Age Group, Relationship to Child, Resource Type, and Geographic Location. To test it out, visit the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series page. More Information To learn more and access the full list of resources, visit the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series webpage.