Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is pleased to announce the second annual Child Hunger Hero award winners! The Child Hunger Hero award program recognizes school districts and community partners making outstanding contributions to food security for kids within our service area.
Participating schools and community sponsors have once again been evaluated on their involvement in programs impacting childhood food insecurity This includes school meals, summer food, afterschool meals, weekend backpacks and school pantry programs during summer 2022 and school year 2021-2022. This year, 33 school districts and nine community sponsors applied for the Child Hunger Hero program. We are excited for the 10 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze winners. Four of last year’s silver winners increased to gold this year!
In the coming weeks, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s Child Nutrition Outreach team will be visiting each winner to present them with their award. Winners will receive award prizes at each level including pens, pins, certificates, Apple Awards, t-shirts, hats, tumblers and other items to show off their hero status. Last year, our team saw many happy tears from food service workers who received awards. The hard work and dedication of food service workers can often go unnoticed, so we are glad to be able to recognize the work that goes into feeding kids through this award program.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank makes childhood hunger a priority area because kids need adequate nutrition to eat, learn and grow. Research shows starting the school day by eating breakfast can lead to higher test scores, calmer classrooms, fewer trips to the nurse and better attendance. When school is out, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, backpack programs and school pantries help to meet the food needs of kids. Child Hunger Hero award winners all go above and beyond to provide these programs as great assets to their community.
Last school year and summer brought continued challenges with staff shortages and food supply chain issues, yet these Child Hunger Hero award winners did not let these challenges stop them from feeding kids in need. In summer 2022, more than one million free summer meals were served to children in the three rivers region. Today, one in six children in our 11-county service area are food insecure but Child Hunger Heroes work every day to help close that gap.
Congratulations to all our heroes! Thank you for going above and beyond to help feed kids in your community. Not all heroes wear capes, but we know many who wear aprons.
Gold Award
School Districts
Pittsburgh Public Schools, Allegheny County
Greater Johnstown School District, Cambria County
New Castle Area School District, Lawrence County
Trinity Area School District, Washington County
Community Sponsors
North Hills Cares, Allegheny County
Beaver County YMCA, Beaver County
YMCA of Indiana County, Indiana County
Lawrence County Community Action Partnership, Lawrence County
Camp Harmony, Somerset County
Strive For a Better Tomorrow, Washington County
Silver Award
School Districts
Deer Lakes School District, Allegheny County
Armstrong School District, Armstrong County
Kiski Area School District, Armstrong County
Big Beaver Falls Area School District, Beaver County
Rochester Area School District, Beaver County
Forest Hills School District, Cambria County
Carmichaels Area School District, Greene County
Penns Manor Area School District, Indiana County
United School District, Indiana County
Laurel School District, Lawrence County
Community Sponsors
United Methodist Church Union, Allegheny County
Flood City Youth Fitness Academy, Cambria County
Bronze Award
School Districts
Avonworth School District
Clairton City School District
Plum Borough School District
Sto-Rox School District
Yeshiva Schools
Freeport Area School District
Ambridge Area School District
Conemaugh Valley Area School District
Ferndale Area School District
Southmoreland School District
Central Greene School District
Homer Center School District
Marion Center Area School District
Shade-Central City School District
Windber Area School District