Skip to main content
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
  • About
    • Why We Exist
    • Our Organization
      • History
      • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Facility
      • Staff & Board
      • A Fresh Vision for the Future
      • Sustainability
    • Hunger in Our Region
    • Impact
    • News
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • Podcast
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • How We Work
    • Individuals & Families
      • Drive-Up Distributions
      • Doorstep Delivery
      • Senior Boxes
      • SNAP and Life Stabilization Resources
    • Kids & Teens
      • Child Hunger Heroes
      • Child and Adult Care Food Program
      • School Meals
      • Classroom Cupboards & Backpacks
      • Summer Youth Cafe
      • For Child Nutrition Partners
    • Partner Network
      • Meet Our Partners
      • Tools for Partners
      • Partner With Us
    • Stories of Change
  • Ways to Give
    • Overview
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Plan a Fundraiser
    • Tax-Advantaged Giving
      • Feed the Future
    • Corporate Giving
    • Tribute Giving
    • Give Food
      • Individuals
      • Gardeners
      • Restaurants and Food Service
      • Farm Partnerships
      • Retail and Food Industry
    • Other Ways to Give
  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Engagement Center
      • Drive-Up Distributions
      • Doorstep Delivery
      • Gleaning
      • Food Bank Farm
      • Clerical Support and Skilled Volunteers
      • Farmers Markets
      • Family Volunteer Day
    • Host a Food & Fund Drive
    • Advocate
    • Stakeholder Engagement Initiative
    • Community Events
    • Shop Our Partners
    • Request a Distribution
  • Find Food
  • Donate
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
    • Español
  • About
    • Why We Exist
    • Our Organization
      • History
      • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Facility
      • Staff & Board
      • A Fresh Vision for the Future
      • Sustainability
    • Hunger in Our Region
    • Impact
    • News
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • Podcast
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • How We Work
    • Individuals & Families
      • Drive-Up Distributions
      • Doorstep Delivery
      • Senior Boxes
      • SNAP and Life Stabilization Resources
    • Kids & Teens
      • Child Hunger Heroes
      • Child and Adult Care Food Program
      • School Meals
      • Classroom Cupboards & Backpacks
      • Summer Youth Cafe
      • For Child Nutrition Partners
    • Partner Network
      • Meet Our Partners
      • Tools for Partners
      • Partner With Us
    • Stories of Change
  • Ways to Give
    • Overview
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Plan a Fundraiser
    • Tax-Advantaged Giving
      • Feed the Future
    • Corporate Giving
    • Tribute Giving
    • Give Food
      • Individuals
      • Gardeners
      • Restaurants and Food Service
      • Farm Partnerships
      • Retail and Food Industry
    • Other Ways to Give
  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Engagement Center
      • Drive-Up Distributions
      • Doorstep Delivery
      • Gleaning
      • Food Bank Farm
      • Clerical Support and Skilled Volunteers
      • Farmers Markets
      • Family Volunteer Day
    • Host a Food & Fund Drive
    • Advocate
    • Stakeholder Engagement Initiative
    • Community Events
    • Shop Our Partners
    • Request a Distribution
  • Find Food
  • Donate
News
Home > About > News > Blog > Serving the Community > Empowering students to meet the need

Empowering students to meet the need

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Perry students and Sheila May-Stein (center), photo by Jake Mysliwczyk, Pittsburgh City Paper

When Sheila May-Stein’s students at Perry High School thought about why their classmates were struggling, they realized that many of them lack consistent access to healthy food and basic necessities. They wanted to do something about it.

That’s when Sheila, students from the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and Jr. ROTC turned to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. After a visit to the Food Bank, the students put together a plan for a school pantry housed in the library. They got started with support from the Food Bank. Pirates Charities provided 100 backpacks that students fill with food from the client-choice pantry. “It gives a measure of dignity to children,” says Sheila, the school librarian. “I hear them say things like, ‘I know what I’m cooking for my little brother tonight.’ Or ‘I know what I’m eating this weekend.’”

Sheila has seen the program making a difference already. It’s improved attendance for some students who know they can get food at school. The pantry has helped provide nutrition for pregnant teens. Some teachers pick up cereal bars or fruit to offer students who come to school hungry. “This school is the only comprehensive high school on the north side of an area of high poverty and low resources. Kids realize this is one of their needs that can get met at school,” says Sheila. The students are also raising money for a refrigerator to provide more fresh food, and have plans to plant a garden and bring in cooking instruction.

Thinking about the donors to the Food Bank moves Sheila to tears: “I really wish that they could be a fly on the wall and see the difference they’re making in the lives of the most disadvantaged children. The children in this building are not used to having their needs met, but they find nutritious food available at school because of these donors. They’re doing a magical, beautiful thing, for the most vulnerable among us. They’re changing the world one child at a time.”

Share on:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Why We Exist
  • Hunger in Our Region
  • Our Organization
  • Impact
  • News
    • Blog
    • Press Releases
    • Podcast
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

Categories

  • All Posts
  • Advocacy
  • COVID-19
  • Government Shutdown
  • Health and Wellness
  • Leadership
  • Serving the Community
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteers

Archives

Tags

  • food
  • pantry
  • food pantry
  • agency
  • covid19
  • food bank
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
  • volunteer
  • child
  • school
  • college hunger
  • assistance
  • rule change
  • senior
  • SNAP
  • USDA
  • students
  • Advocacy
  • boss
  • leader
  • vision
  • women leaders
  • backpack
  • student
  • pioneer pantry
  • point park university
  • donate
  • pitt
  • university
  • child food
  • covid
  • foodpantry
  • community
  • george floyd
  • justice
  • statement
  • farm
  • fruits
  • gleaning
  • produce
  • vegetables
  • coronavirus
  • flu
  • flu shot
  • vaccine
  • breakfast
  • grab and go
  • meal
  • pps
  • meals
  • sfsp
  • somerset
  • summer
  • delivery
  • doorstep
  • seniors
  • staff
  • desert
  • food apartheid
  • food desert
  • green grocer
  • erin spangler
  • fruits and veggies
  • healthy eating
  • June
  • nutrition
  • Pittsburgh
  • award
  • child award
  • hero award
  • hunger hero award
  • art sale benefit
  • events
  • fundraiser

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

1 N. Linden St.
Duquesne, PA 15110 USA

Phone: (412) 460-3663

Quick Links:

  • Reserve Food
  • Partner Login
  • Agency Portal
  • Pressroom
  • Financials
  • Careers
  • Referrals
  • Civil Rights Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Join Our Community!

Subscribe to get the latest news from Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Subscribe

Join Our Community

Subscribe to get the latest news from Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2022 Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. All rights reserved.

Website by Imagebox