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.
May 8, 2023 PADHS and ACDHS Renewed Recommendations for End of Public Health Emergency The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration, which allows families and individuals to get COVID-19-related benefits and automatic coverages, will expire on May 11, 2023. Many PHE benefits have already been terminated, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments, which expired at the end of February 2023, and continuous Medical Assistance eligibility and enrollment, which ended April 1, 2023. To better support families through this continuing transition, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PADHS) issued the following recommendations: (This article was updated on May 10, 2023 to include new information on renewing coverage via mail). How should families and individuals in Allegheny County respond to the end of PHE? Continuous Medical Assistance eligibility and enrollment ended April 1, 2023. Everyone on Medical Assistance and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will need to renew their application. In April, PADHS began sending renewal information to recipients. Attempts to contact recipients regarding renewals will span a 12-month period. Recipients will get information in the mail about renewing their Medicaid or CHIP coverage. When this packet arrives, they must complete and return it by the date printed on the packet. They can return it by mail or deliver it in-person at any local County Assistance Office. Recipients can also complete the renewal by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS. PADHS may contact recipients through other means as well, including by phone. Regardless of how they are contacted, recipients will need to: keep their contact information up-to-date, and respond quickly to any correspondence that they receive, even if nothing has changed. Not responding will result in a loss of coverage. This will affect everyone in Allegheny County who receives Medical Assistance and CHIP. SNAP benefits ended in February 2023 During the PHE, all SNAP households received at least an additional $95/month. Without this additional support, more than 166,000 people receiving SNAP benefits in Allegheny County may need food assistance. How can families and individuals prepare for this transition? Families and individuals receiving Medical Assistance or CHIP: Families and individuals receiving Medical Assistance or CHIP should update their contact information in COMPASS. The Department of Human Services will send important notices in the mail about renewals, so it is very important that contact information be up-to-date. Log into dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS to update your contact information, or call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930, if you prefer not to use the online portal. Families and individuals receiving SNAP benefits: SNAP benefits have decreased, so some families and individuals may be struggling to secure enough food. Anyone who needs food assistance can call 2-1-1 or look at the food bank’s food locator tool. Households with pregnant individual(s) or children under the age of 5: If someone in your household is pregnant or under the age of 5, WIC can help connect you to food resources. Learn more about WIC at PAWIC.com and, if you are interested in WIC resources, fill out the pre-application on that page. Additional Resources Medicaid and CHIP Community Care Behavioral Health is available to assist members and providers with eligibility questions and support. Members can call 1-844-488-5336. Providers can call 1-888-251-2224. SNAP Just Harvest can help people apply for SNAP, as well as other benefits. For more information about SNAP Emergency Allotments, the February change, and how to report changes to benefits, visit dhs.pa.gov/SNAPCares. Food Resources in Allegheny County ELRC Region 5 has curated a list of food resources provided by organizations in Allegheny County. To find the food list, visit https://elrc5.alleghenycounty.us/news/2023-food-resources.
April 27, 2023 Resources for May Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for May observances: Month-Long Observances May is National Foster Care Month Foster and Adoptive Families, Trying Together What to Know About Becoming a Foster Parent in PA, Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network (SWAN) Top 10 Tips for New Foster Families, Fostering Families Today Parenting Resources for Foster Parents, Child Welfare Information Gateway Ways to Help Foster Children, Adopt US Kids National Foster Care Month 2023 Virtual Event: Foster Care and Mental Health, Children’s Bureau 5 Things Foster Youth Want All Teachers to Know, We Are Teachers May is Mental Health Awareness Month Where to Find Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh: Youth and Family Research Program Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Childhood Mental Health, Trying Together Preventing Parent Burnout: Meeting the Emotional Challenges of Caring for Children with Mental Health Issues, The Child Mind Institute Parenting with a Mental Health Condition, Mental Health America 44 Children’s Books About Mental Health, The Child Mind Institute Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Neurodivergent Learners, Edutopia May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Recognizing the Influence, History, and Achievements of Pittsburgh’s AAPI Residents, Visit Pittsburgh DEI Resources: Supporting AAPI Communities, National Head Start Association A Guide for Parents on Talking to Kids about Asian American Identity & Racism, Immigrant History Initiative AAPI Books for Kids of All Ages, Chicago Parent 85 Brilliant Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) Children’s Books, Imagination Soup 18 Student Activities for AAPI Heritage Month, We Are Teachers Weeks of Recognition May 1 – 7 is Children’s Book Week Children’s Book Week Poster and Activity Pages, Every Child a Reader Creative Ways to Celebrate Children’s Book Week, BookTrust 125 Books We Love for Kids, New York Public Library May 8 – 12 is National Teacher Appreciation Week 10 Ways Families Can Celebrate Teachers, National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week: How Caregivers Can Celebrate and Show Gratitude, Harper Collins Publishers How Can Parents Best Support Teachers? We Asked, Education Week Why Teacher Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care in Your School, Waterford Days of Recognition May 7 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?, National Institute of Mental Health A Teacher’s Guide to Anxiety, The Child Mind Institute Parenting Guides on Child Mental Health Disorders, The Child Mind Institute Find additional resources under “Mental Health Awareness Month” above. May 12 is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day Self-Care for Child Care Professionals, HiMama Remember to Take Care of Yourself: Six Ideas for Family Child Care Providers, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 101 Thoughtful Ways to Express Gratitude for Your Childcare Staff, Brightwheel Raise Child Care, Start Strong PA Advocate: Take Action, Trying Together Find additional resources under, “National Teacher Appreciation Week” above. May 14 is Mother’s Day Celebrate Mother’s Day in Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh 10 Mother’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids, Artful Parent 33 Preschool Activities to Honor Mom in the Classroom, Teaching Expertise Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Find Child Care, ELRC Region 5 Moms’ Mental Health Matters, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources to Share with Expectant Families, Office of Head Start May 28 is World Hunger Day Hunger & Poverty in America, Food Research and Action Center Child Hunger in America, Feeding America Food Resources for Pennsylvanians, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Food Resources in Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub, Trying Together
March 21, 2023 Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub 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. For more information or questions, please contact The Hub & Family Center at (412) 545-5039.
