INSIDE F.R.E.S.H. Bites feed. respond. educate. socialize. help. At our Produce to People distribution in Aliquippa, Valdoris both volunteers and comes to receive food. She says the people in the community look forward to receiving food. For herself, living on Social Security and sharing household expenses with her daughter and grandchildren means Valdoris’ income doesn’t stretch very far. “The food really helps,” she says. Read more of Valdoris’ story on page 3. “I see a lot of people from the neighborhood, and they tell me how the food distribution has really helped them.” —VALDORIS Thank you for helping my community Spring 2016 A word of gratitude from Lisa Doing something for our community The healthy food is a blessing 2 3 4
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Please make your check payable to:
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank P.O. Box 643710 | Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3710
Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send you a receipt for your records.
To charge your gift by phone, please call 412-460-3663.
It’s easy! Give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org/donate
CARD NUMBER SECURITY #
SIGNATURE EXPIRATION DATE
May we email you periodically about Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank?
@
Please charge my gift on my credit card: m VISA m MC m AMEX m DISC
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
m Please send me information about the monthly giving program.
4 F.R.E.S.H. Bites | pittsburghfoodbank.org
INSIDE
Stay connected to the work you support!
F.R.E.S.H. Bitesfeed. respond. educate. socialize. help.Winter is a particularly stressful time for the
seniors we serve. People like Valdoris and Cathie who live on fixed incomes don’t have much opportunity to change that. When the cost of utilities increases or the price of food or gas goes up, they have to make difficult choices between buying food and paying their bills or putting gas in their car. In fact, 62% of all the families we serve say they have had to choose between buying food and paying their utilities or paying for medical care this year.
At Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we don’t believe seniors or families who are struggling should have to give up a meal in order to stay warm. That’s why we’re committed to continually increasing the amount of food we’re distributing until we meet the need in our communities. And as we work to feed our neighbors, we’re also working to help them get the resources they need to improve their lives.
Your commitment and generosity to this mission are so important to us. During this time of year, many people who are struggling are easily forgotten. You can give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org or use the enclosed return slip. Thank you for your support.
Your support helps us reach seniors and families who are struggling—thank you!
At our Produce to People distribution in Aliquippa, Valdoris both volunteers and comes to receive food. She says the people in the community look forward to receiving food. For herself, living on Social Security and sharing household expenses with her daughter and grandchildren means Valdoris’ income doesn’t stretch very far. “The food really helps,” she says.
Read more of Valdoris’ story on page 3.
“ I see a lot of people from the neighborhood, and they tell me how the food distribution has really helped them.” —VALDORIS
Thank you for helping my community
Yes, Lisa, I want to help provide nourishing food to seniors and families who are facing hunger.
3N/16 28796-5
Hello! My name is Cathie. I’m retired and living on Social Security, so coming to the Swissvale food pantry to get food is a real blessing. I worked as a teacher and in customer service for 20 years. For the past 10 years, I’ve been on my own, trying to stay active and healthy. I teach a better choices/better health workshop, which is a class on managing chronic diseases for seniors. We teach seniors how to be active, how to read labels and make dietary changes for their health.
I also volunteer in the schools doing remedial work and teaching cursive. It makes me feel like I’m back in my element, and it’s really gratifying. I’m losing some of my flexibility and stamina, but I’m 72 and I’m going to keep doing this as long as I possibly can.
Everything is useful
Coming to the community food pantry really supplements the food I have at home. I only take what I need. I also receive food at Produce to People in Braddock. I get a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables from these distributions, which is healthy. I’m also glad to get peanut butter and the shelf-stable milk here at the pantry.
When you’re on a limited income, being able to receive food is such a blessing. And for people who are eating unhealthy items because they cost less, coming here is a way to do away with that. Everything I get here is healthy and useful—thank you!
The healthy food is a blessing
Enclosed is my gift: m $250 m $100 m $50 m $25 m Other $_______
Spring 2016
“ Everything I get here is healthy and useful—thank you!” —CATHIE
A word of gratitude from Lisa
Doing something for our community
The healthy food is a blessing
2 3 4
FB28796-5 PITTSBURGH NEWSLETTER OUTSIDE
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2 F.R.E.S.H. Bites | pittsburghfoodbank.org Spring 2016 3
A word of gratitude from Lisa
Lisa A. ScalesPresident & CEO
As spring makes its way to us, the farmers we partner with will soon be planting for a summer harvest. I know how much it means to the families we serve to be able to get fresh fruits and vegetables in their food distributions. When seniors, children and families get the nutritious food they need, they can lead healthier lives and have more opportunities—and build a better future for their families.
The Produce to People program has experienced tremendous growth since it began 10 years ago. For many of our communities, hunger can force people to make poor choices that lead to poor health. Coming into a low-income community with a truckload of fresh produce and other staples has been a boost for seniors like Cathie and Valdoris and their families. An extra benefit of direct distribution is the ability to offer other resources related to housing, health or work that help people stabilize their lives.
In 2016 we’re also launching our new 10-year strategic plan. I’m excited about the partnerships we’re forming and the new partnerships to come. These collaborations will bring fresh skills, ideas and resources to help feed neighbors who struggle with hunger and mobilize agencies in the community to help improve families’ lives so they no longer need our assistance.
Your partnership is at the very heart of that work. And while it’s easy to forget about those who are struggling, thank you for remembering seniors, families and their children, and those who are struggling to make ends meet. Your compassion for these neighbors makes all the difference.
Gratefully,
Lisa A. Scales, President & CEO
Each month, at 17 sites across our service area thousands of households are lining up to receive 30-50 pounds of food from our Produce to People distribution. Over the past 10 years, this program has grown to distribute 3.5 million pounds of food a year. Almost 73% of it is fresh produce. At one recent distribution in Cambria County, more than 1,000 grateful families came to receive food assistance.
Josh Murphy, director of special distributions, says Produce to People has had a positive impact on the lives of these low-income families. “I’ve seen many families become familiar with healthy fruits and vegetables they’ve never tried before,” he says. “That has so much impact on families, because there are many diet-related illnesses in low-income communities.”
A healthier future
Setting up each distribution, Josh and his team start with the fresh produce the Food Bank sources for this program. Next, they add in the fresh foods coming from the manufacturer and retailer food rescue program that need to be distributed quickly. Finally, they choose shelf-stable items that help families round out their meals. Each distribution also includes recipes that help families learn how to cook the items they are receiving.
As we look to the future at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we know that the largest food waste in the country is with fresh produce. We’re looking at creative ways to capture that nutritious food and get it out to families who need it. Our goal is to make 50% of the food we distribute fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce to People is not only equipping the families we serve to eat and cook healthier meals, but it’s also setting up the infrastructure the Food Bank needs to distribute foods with a short shelf life. Thank you for your support, which is helping neighbors have a healthier future.
Helping thousands of families eat healthier meals
Valdoris’ story, continued from page 1Produce to People
My name is Valdoris and I’ve been a part of the Produce to People distribution in Aliquippa since it started. I used to come and lift boxes, but recently I’ve been having trouble with my legs, so I help with bagging food. I really enjoy volunteering here. I see a lot of people from the neighborhood, and they tell us how the food distribution has really helped them. They’re very thankful, and that makes me feel like we’re really helping people.
I also receive food that helps my family. When we run out of food, this gives us something to fall back on. And I don’t have to go and buy the items they give us. I’m living on Social Security, so my income is really tight. But we make it. I’ve had a lot of medical issues as well, and that’s been hard.
I was born and raised in Aliquippa and my dad used to work in the steel mill. I got married and raised six children here. Now I’m a widow and
the children are all grown, but I also adopted another daughter who is 20 and lives with me. She was recently laid off, so we just have my income. I have 19 grandchildren altogether. Bryce is my grandson who lives with me.
Cooking from scratch I’m used to cooking everything
from scratch, but that’s getting harder for me. I still do small catering jobs where I cook for weddings or funerals in the neighborhood and two of my daughters help me with that. I like to make rolls and fresh greens and chicken.
I hope that the people who provide the food will continue to do that. It helps so many people who are low-income. For the people who are helped, and from me, I just want to say thank you. What you’re giving us is good food and the whole community looks forward to it.
“ What you’re giving us is good food.” —VALDORIS
Thank you for the food that helps feed my family
Produce to People: serving families in Aliquippa“When the Food Bank offered us
this program, it was fantastic!” says Marlene Lee who with Sylvester Thomas co-manages the Produce to People distribution at her church. The Food Bank provides the food and the church provides the space and the volunteers. Once a month, at least 400 families from the community arrive to receive fresh produce and other staples to help them get by.
“There are children involved, and people out of work. When you think about how much money is spent on groceries, people just don’t have it,” says Marlene. Nine years ago, when they got involved with the program, Marlene says, “we just wanted to do something for the people.”
Sylvester and Marlene make sure
there are enough volunteers to keep the program running. Volunteers set up the space, bag produce and then hand it out to families as they come through the line. Several employees of Quicken Loans also come out to volunteer once a month. Marlene says one of the benefits of volunteering is getting to know people in the neighborhood. “You build new relationships and you get a new feel for the community. It does your heart good to know you’re helping people, and they depend on it. They’re very appreciative.”
Marlene says Produce to People is a real support for the community they serve. “Without the Food Bank, we certainly couldn’t do all of this,” says Marlene. “There’s such a need! The amount of people who come—we know we have to be there for them.”
“ It does your heart good to know you’re helping people.” —MARLENE
“ Your compassion for our neighbors makes all the difference.”
Almost 73% of our Produce to People distribution is fresh produce.
Valdoris and her grandson, Bryce, receive food. Valdoris also works as a volunteer to give it out.
Marlene and Sylvester worked with the Food Bank to bring Produce to People to their neighborhood.
Agency spotlight
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Please make your check payable to:
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank P.O. Box 643710 | Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3710
Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send you a receipt for your records.
To charge your gift by phone, please call 412-460-3663.
It’s easy! Give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org/donate
CARD NUMBER SECURITY #
SIGNATURE EXPIRATION DATE
May we email you periodically about Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank?
@
Please charge my gift on my credit card: m VISA m MC m AMEX m DISC
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
m Please send me information about the monthly giving program.
4 F.R.E.S.H. Bites | pittsburghfoodbank.org
INSIDE
Stay connected to the work you support!
F.R.E.S.H. Bitesfeed. respond. educate. socialize. help.Winter is a particularly stressful time for the
seniors we serve. People like Valdoris and Cathie who live on fixed incomes don’t have much opportunity to change that. When the cost of utilities increases or the price of food or gas goes up, they have to make difficult choices between buying food and paying their bills or putting gas in their car. In fact, 62% of all the families we serve say they have had to choose between buying food and paying their utilities or paying for medical care this year.
At Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we don’t believe seniors or families who are struggling should have to give up a meal in order to stay warm. That’s why we’re committed to continually increasing the amount of food we’re distributing until we meet the need in our communities. And as we work to feed our neighbors, we’re also working to help them get the resources they need to improve their lives.
Your commitment and generosity to this mission are so important to us. During this time of year, many people who are struggling are easily forgotten. You can give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org or use the enclosed return slip. Thank you for your support.
Your support helps us reach seniors and families who are struggling—thank you!
At our Produce to People distribution in Aliquippa, Valdoris both volunteers and comes to receive food. She says the people in the community look forward to receiving food. For herself, living on Social Security and sharing household expenses with her daughter and grandchildren means Valdoris’ income doesn’t stretch very far. “The food really helps,” she says.
Read more of Valdoris’ story on page 3.
“ I see a lot of people from the neighborhood, and they tell me how the food distribution has really helped them.” —VALDORIS
Thank you for helping my community
Yes, Lisa, I want to help provide nourishing food to seniors and families who are facing hunger.
3N/16 28796-5
Hello! My name is Cathie. I’m retired and living on Social Security, so coming to the Swissvale food pantry to get food is a real blessing. I worked as a teacher and in customer service for 20 years. For the past 10 years, I’ve been on my own, trying to stay active and healthy. I teach a better choices/better health workshop, which is a class on managing chronic diseases for seniors. We teach seniors how to be active, how to read labels and make dietary changes for their health.
I also volunteer in the schools doing remedial work and teaching cursive. It makes me feel like I’m back in my element, and it’s really gratifying. I’m losing some of my flexibility and stamina, but I’m 72 and I’m going to keep doing this as long as I possibly can.
Everything is useful
Coming to the community food pantry really supplements the food I have at home. I only take what I need. I also receive food at Produce to People in Braddock. I get a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables from these distributions, which is healthy. I’m also glad to get peanut butter and the shelf-stable milk here at the pantry.
When you’re on a limited income, being able to receive food is such a blessing. And for people who are eating unhealthy items because they cost less, coming here is a way to do away with that. Everything I get here is healthy and useful—thank you!
The healthy food is a blessing
Enclosed is my gift: m $250 m $100 m $50 m $25 m Other $_______
Spring 2016
“ Everything I get here is healthy and useful—thank you!” —CATHIE
