This Is FANTASTIC!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Doorstep Delivery brings groceries to the homes of region’s most vulnerable Duquesne, PA (May 5, 2020) – Social distancing guidelines have made it more challenging for southwestern Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable populations, seniors and those with underlying medical conditions, to access food assistance. To help ensure all of our neighbors have enough to eat, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s (the Food Bank) new Doorstep Delivery program is bringing groceries to the doorstep of these most vulnerable individuals. To date, nearly 35,000 pounds of food has been delivered to nearly 1,400 homes in the region through this program. The Food Bank typically serves more than 100,000 people each month through its network of food assistance programs that bring people together in one location to receive assistance. With the current social-distancing guidelines, the Food Bank is focusing on new ways to get food to our neighbors who need it most. “We are committed to do our best to meet the needs of the community both on a daily basis and throughout the current COVID-19 crisis,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “For some of our neighbors that means that we need to meet them where they are by bringing food right to their doorstep.” For the past year, the Food Bank has been delivering THRIVE boxes to people’s homes by partnering with the City of Pittsburgh police department, Connect Community Paramedics and UPS. Since COVID-19 hit, the organization has prioritized ramping up the service to meet the current needs of the community. Now known as Doorstep Delivery, the program works by utilizing both volunteers of the Food Bank and 412 Food Rescue, as well as professional delivery and transportation services to bring a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food right to the recipient’s door. While the contents of the boxes vary, items in the box may include: Canned fruits and vegetables Juice and/or shelf-stable milk Starches such as potatoes, pasta and pasta sauce or pancake mix Proteins such as peanut butter, beans, beef stew or canned chicken or tuna.
Individuals in need of food assistance should call the Food Bank at 412-460-3663 or visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/gethelp to get help. The organization’s COVID-19 concierge team is fielding calls 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In recent weeks, this team has taken more than 3,000 calls for assistance and is working to connect individuals with a variety of resources including SNAP (food stamps), food pantries, drive-up distributions, grab and go meals for kids and home delivery.
In these uncertain times, the Food Bank is committed to continuing its nearly 40-year mission of feeding people in need and mobilizing the community to eliminate hunger. The organization is continuously monitoring this ever-changing situation and evaluating the best way to provide assistance to individuals and families in need of food assistance. A full schedule of upcoming distributions; information on volunteer opportunities; and a comprehensive list and map of what schools and community organizations are doing to feed children while schools are closed are available on the Food Bank’s website at pittsburghfoodbank.org/covid19.