News

February 11, 2025

Just Harvest Helps with SNAP, Tax Prep, and Other Services

Just Harvest helps those struggling with food security in Allegheny County as well as other free services. The organization aims to reduce hunger by boosting income and access to healthy food.

Services

Just Harvest offers a variety of services, including:

  • SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a public benefit that can supplement a food budget. Just Harvest helps eligible families to apply for these benefits.
  • Benefits case advocacy: Just Harvest helps those having trouble applying for or receiving food stamps, LIHEAP, or cash assistance (TANF) through the state’s Department of Human Services.
  • Tax help: Just Harvest provides free IRS-certified tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Allegheny County.
  • Fresh access: Just Harvest operates a kiosk at 20 area farmers markets and farm stands in the Pittsburgh area from May to November. Customers can shop with food stamps using their ACCESS/EBT card to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy products.
  • Fresh Corners: This healthy corner store initiative partners with local store owners in parts of Allegheny County that lack supermarkets. It provides affordable access to fresh, nutritious foods.

More information on the services that Just Harvest provides can be found on this flier.

For information on 2025 SNAP discounts, view this flier. And for general 2025 SNAP information, check out this flier.

News

July 16, 2024

Applications Available for Federal Summer Child Nutrition Program

Applications are now open for a new federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks that aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Eligible children can receive an EBT card through the program, also known as Summer EBT, that can be used to purchase groceries.

Learn More

For the program’s first year, paper applications are available for children who are not automatically eligible. Benefits will be issued to all eligible children by October.

The program provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries.

Many children will receive these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) EBT card or a newly-issued Summer EBT card.

Eligibility

Children who applied and were approved for free or reduced-price school meals or who receive SNAP or TANF are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks.

Most children who receive Medicaid are also eligible because their income level is under the level for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program. Children who get Medicaid through the Children with Special Needs category (PH 95) and those who are in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will have to apply for SUN Bucks.

Children are automatically eligible and do not need to apply for the program if:

  • Their household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; or if they are not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but were between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline
  • The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the lunch or breakfast program between July 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs; or if the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the programs but is between the ages of six and 18 during the timeline
  • The child is in Head Start, is homeless, in foster care, or is a runaway and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch or breakfast programs
  • The child applied for and was determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the school or breakfast program

How to Apply

Most eligible households will get SUN Bucks automatically if they are receiving other benefits. Other households can use the Eligibility Navigator to determine if their child is eligible.

Those who are not automatically enrolled can fill out an application in English or Spanish.

Applications received on or before August 31 will be considered for SUN Bucks benefits. Those received after that date will be considered for benefits during the 2025 application period next summer.

For more information, visit the SUN Bucks website.

News

May 8, 2024

COTRAIC Open House

COTRAIC is hosting open hours at four locations on May 17 for its Head Start and PreK preschool programs for the 2024-25 school year.

Learn More

Attendees will be able to meet COTRAIC staff, tour classrooms, learn about programs, and engage in family fun activities. COTRAIC Head Start and PreK services are available at no cost to eligible families with children ages three to five.

Eligibility includes children whose families are at or below the federal poverty guidelines or who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) public assistance services. Other eligible children are those who are in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness.

The sites for the open house are:

  • Churchview – 3198 Schieck St., Pittsburgh
  • Dorseyville – 120 Charles St., Pittsburgh
  • Hazelwood – 4900 2nd Ave., Pittsburgh
  • Knoxville – 201 Rochelle St., Pittsburgh

More Details

The open houses will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17. For more information, visit COTRAIC’s website or call 412-488-2750.

News

May 7, 2024

Department of Human Services Debuts Summer Child Nutrition Program

A new, permanent federal child nutrition program known as SUN Bucks aims to keep children fed during the summer months when they are not in school. Through the program, also called Summer EBT, eligible children will receive an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries.

Learn More

The program will be run by the state’s Department of Human Services, with support from the Department of Education. Children who are eligible and automatically signed up for SUN Bucks include:

  • Children ages 6 to 18 who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or medical assistance with qualifying income during the school year or summer 2024. This includes home-schooled and cyber-schooled children.
  • Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and either:
  • Applies for and is approved for free and reduced-price school meals during the school year
  • Receives SNAP, TANF, or medical assistance with qualifying income at any time during the school year or summer
  • Is directly certified for free school meals as a foster child, migrant, or someone experiencing homelessness

Children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and whose families meet the income guidelines for SUN Bucks but were not automatically enrolled in the program by being in one of the categories listed above may be eligible. However, they would need to apply directly to receive SUN Bucks.

The monthly household gross income limit for SUN Bucks is:

  • $2,248 for a household of one
  • $3,041 for a household of two
  • $3,833 for a household of three
  • $4,625 for a household of four
  • $5,418 for a household of five
  • +$8,732 for each additional family member

More Details

The benefit amount for summer 2024 is $40 per summer month per child. Payments will be made as one payment of $120 by September 30, 2024 at the latest. This timeline will be updated as DHS gets closer to implementing the program.

Qualifying families who already receive SNAP benefits will see the benefit added to their card. For those who do not receive SNAP benefits, an EBT card will be mailed to them. Those interested in the program should make sure that their child’s school has a current mailing address.

Additional information on how to activate the EBT card, how to check the card’s balance, and how the card can be used to buy food is available online.

News

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.