April 14, 2020 Food Assistance Programs Available in Pennsylvania Nearly one in seven households with children in the United States of America currently cannot afford to buy enough food for their families. When looking locally, the food insecurity rate in Allegheny County is 13 percent as of 2017. That is more than 161,000 people in the county, including nearly 38,000 children. Elected officials at all levels of government have the ability to enact policies that protect and support child nutrition programs and improve the health and well-being of children and their families. We just have to make sure that they are in office. How You Can Help Together, we can create a better future with our votes, advocacy, and support. However, if you are not registered to vote or if your voter registration is not up-to-date, you will miss out on important opportunities to share your voice and elect local, state, and national policymakers. Take this time to check your voter registration and encourage others to do the same! Another way that you can make sure your voice is heard is by singing the America for Early Ed Pledge to Vote! Our voices and votes can ensure that all children in Pennsylvania receive the food and nutrition services they need to grow up healthy and strong. Will you join us in signing the Pledge? To learn more about food insecurity in America, view this document by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). For information about available food services, please continue reading below. Available Resources If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance during the COVID-19 health crisis, please view the list below for information about available programs and services. Pennsylvania 2.1.1 Southwest If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 2.1.1, text your zip code to 898.211, or visit the Pennsylvania (PA) 2.1.1 website. PA 2.1.1 Southwest seeks to provide an easy-to-remember phone number and web resource for finding health and human services for everyday needs and in crisis situations, serving the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland. Allegheny County Free Food Distribution Map For information about free resource distribution sites in Allegheny County, please visit this website. The map includes information about locations with no age restriction, locations that serve children only, PPS Grab and Go locations, and more. View the full map to view other available resource types. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank provides information on emergency distributions, applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), accessing a food pantry near you, and more. If visiting a pantry, please call before your visit to confirm that the site’s hours have not changed. For more information, contact the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank at 412.460.3663. To apply for SNAP, call toll-free at 833.822.7627, text SNAPPA to 555-888, or complete the online referral form. Just Harvest Just Harvest continues to provide assistance to community members applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medical Assistance, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, as well as case advocacy and eligibility screenings. To receive assistance, fill out this form or call 412.431.8960, x602 and state your name, contact info, and the best time to reach you from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Southwest Pennsylvania Meals on Wheels Southwest Pennsylvania Meals on Wheels provides home meal delivery for people over the age of 60 and to those of any age who are recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery. The program costs seven dollars per day, which provides two meals. A quart of milk is provided once a week. Meals can be provided as many days a week as needed. Services are available to community members living in the following areas: Beechview, Bridgeville, Carnegie, Cecil, Clinton, Collier Township, Crafton, Dormont, Greentree, Heidelberg, Imperial, Ingram, Mt Lebanon, Oakdale, Robinson Township, Scott Township, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, and Westwood. To learn more, visit their website! South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) SHIM provides access to their pantry items via pre-packaged boxes. However, shop-thru style pantries are temporarily suspended. All pantry volunteers will implement safe distancing, wear gloves at all times, and sanitize all services. Services are available to community members in the following school districts: Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, South Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon, and Upper St. Clair. Visit the SHIM website to learn more about the program and view their pantry hours. For questions, please contact Molly Penderville at 412.854.9120, x108 or mpatterson@shimcares.org. JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry The JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry is open and continues to serve community members who have a 15217 zip code and families that eat Kosher in communities outside of the area code. Individuals receive pre-bagged foods when they come into the pantry. Contact 412.421.2708 or visit their website for more information.
March 23, 2020 Senior Center Alternative Meals Available in Pittsburgh Senior Center alternative meals will be provided to seniors who are currently registered for normal congregate meal service beginning Friday, March 20, 2020. A pre-packaged (likely frozen) meal will be available through the current food distribution providers that are used through the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging program. Seniors who are registered for this program have previously identified as being in need and regularly receive these meals. Available Locations Pre-packaged meals will be available for take-out only and will be served between 11:00 a.m. through 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at these City Healthy Active Living (Senior) Centers: Glen Hazel – 945 Rosselle Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Sheraden – 720 Sherwood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15204 Southside – 49 S 12th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Lawrenceville – 4600 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 Homewood – 7321 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Hazelwood – 5344 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Approximately 100 meals per day will be distributed to registered seniors. More Information on Senior Center Alternative Meals Seniors who are not registered for the program but are in need of food or other resources should contact the Allegheny County Area on Aging’s SeniorLine (1.800.344.4319). Click here to view the City of Pittsburgh’s original press release. *Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh
March 19, 2020 Four Centers in Pittsburgh Offering Grab and Go Meals Four city and Salvation Army centers around Pittsburgh will be offering grab-and-go meals for city schoolchildren starting Thursday, March 19, 2020, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Available Locations The Department of Parks and Recreation has received approval to activate grab-and-go meals at the following four locations: Paulson Rec Center | 1201 Paulson Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Warrington Rec Center | 329 E Warrington Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Salvation Army – Homewood | 8020 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Salvation Army – Westside | 1821 Broadhead Fording Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 More Information on Grab-and-go Meals All meal hand-out operations will commence on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) will provide 100 grab-and-go lunches for each site. This approach may be re-adjusted to respond to actual needs. For more information on COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 Resources page here. Click here to view the City of Pittsburgh’s original press release. *Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh.
January 21, 2020 Raising Readers Together Club | Ages 0-5 The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Thursday sessions are suitable for children ages five and younger. Raising Readers provides free books, discussion, food, songs, storytelling, and resources. Winter 2020 Books February 6: Thank You, Mr. Panda February 13: Funderpants! February 20: Knock Knock February 27: My First Elements March 5: Sulwe March 12: Dream Big March 19: The Too-Scary Story (Session Cancelled) March 26: Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me (Session Cancelled) Questions For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.567.1304 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
October 17, 2019 CitiParks Annual Track & Treat Join Citiparks on October 26 for its annual “Track and Treat” event at the Bud Harris Cycling Track on Washington Boulevard. About Citiparks Track and Treat is a free, fun, and active seasonal event for children and families with a Halloween theme. Children and families are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes, bring their own bikes, or borrow one! Cycle around the Bud Harris Cycling Track–stopping along the way to learn bike etiquette, safety, and maintenance from the Pittsburgh Police Bicycle Unit and have fun decorating their bikes. Children can play a host of Halloween and seasonal games and win prizes, enjoy Pittsburgh Puppet Works Halloween shows and the Dr. Sparks Science Show, and enjoy giant bubble making, balloons, and face painting. Generous donations include Eat n’ Park Monster Mash Cookies and Bike PGH information and resources. Children and families can enjoy life-size hand-painted seasonal decor including a haunted house facade, a barn and barnyard characters, minion city, pumpkin people, and more. Games and Activities Games and activities include: Halloween Costume Contest (2 p.m.), Pumpkin Decorating, Inflatable Games, Pumpkin Cone Toss, Spider Corn Hole Toss, Pumpkin Bowling, Guess How Many (Candy Corn), Break a Balloon, and more! More Information To learn more, visit the CitiParks website.
October 16, 2019 Trying Together Fundraiser at Choolaah (East Liberty) Are you interested in reinforcing Trying Together’s mission to advocate for the needs and rights of children, families, and early care and education professionals? Join us on November 21 at Choolaah (East Liberty) to enjoy delicious food and donate at the same time! About If you show this flyer or mention Trying Together’s name while ordering, Choolaah will donate 30% of your total purchase amount to Trying Together. It’s that simple. Choolaah Fundraisers are for in-store purchases only (dine-in or carry out). Delivery, online, and catering orders do not apply. To learn more about Choolaah and view their food options, visit their website. Print the Flyer Share this opportunity with your family, friends, and network to help us reach our goal of inviting 100 guests to participate! Click here for a printable version of the flyer. More Information For questions about the fundraiser, contact Lainey Yockey at 412.567.3935 or lainey@tryingtogether.org.
August 19, 2019 Elizabeth Street Park and Mural Ribbon-Cutting Join the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative on August 28 to celebrate the opening of the Elizabeth Street Park and the completion of a new, playful mural in Hazelwood! About On August 28, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative will host a free, public event in Hazelwood to celebrate the Elizabeth Street Park opening. The event will feature: a mural ribbon-cutting ceremony, family-friendly games, live music, food, and more! Learn More For more information, contact Sarah Siplak at 412.567.4386 or sarahs@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
August 16, 2019 Pittsburgh Farm to ECE Provider Survey Through an online survey, Ready Set Grow! is seeking responses from Pittsburgh early care and education providers to learn more about current practices and needed supports in the field. Ready Set Grow! In partnership with the Pennsylvania Head Start Association, the Food Trust launched Ready Set Grow!, a Farm to ECE program new to Pittsburgh, with the intention to increase Farm to Early Learning activities on a statewide level in the early care and education field. To learn more, visit their website. Farm to ECE Farm to ECE is a part of the National Farm to School Network, providing activities and strategies that offer increased access to: healthy, local foods; gardening opportunities; and food-based learning activities to enhance the quality of the educational experience. Farm to ECE works well in all types of early care and education settings, with activities supporting healthy eating habits, creating connections to local foods and agricultural communities, and teaching children how food grows. Take the Survey To submit your input, visit the Ready Set Grow! google form today. More Information For more information, contact Ready Set Grow via their online form.
August 1, 2019 P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festival Visit the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals and experience fun activities designed to help young Black children learn about and celebrate their race, culture, and heritage. Children ages 3 to 8 will enjoy activity stations designed by trained artists and educators. Families are invited to enjoy free food, performances, art, and music! Festival Dates Upcoming festivals will be held at the following locations: Homewood August 24, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Homewood YMCA Hill District September 14, 2019, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hug Me Tight Childlife Center Questions For more information, contact Adam Flango at 412.383.8726 or AdamFlango@pitt.edu. Share this flyer with your network.
July 15, 2019 Cliff Effect Public Service Announcement Seeks Focus Group Circles Greater Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development are seeking individuals who are willing to be interviewed and recorded for a Public Service Announcement that will raise awareness on the Cliff Effect. Participants selected will be compensated. About The Cliff Effect impacts individuals who are: working, but still eligible for certain subsidies such as Section 8 or public housing, Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and more at risk of losing benefits because of an increase in income faced with choosing between a raise/increased income or receiving benefits Available Sessions There are two available session dates: Thursday, July 18, 6 – 8 p.m. Carnegie Library East Liberty | 130 S. Whitfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Gallery on Penn | 5937 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Registration To register for the Cliff Effect groups, complete this form. Share this flyer with your network.
