Dear Friend,
As spring turns to summer, many of us — and our kids — start to think about summer vacations, swimming pools, grilling out and travel. It’s a great time to take a break from the routines of the school year.
It’s a great break, that is, unless you have children who rely on accessing free meals at school. Many families are trying to figure out how to provide enough food for their children during the months when those free breakfasts and lunches are no longer available. And during the summer break, families often need to pay for child care costs, too.
That’s why this issue of News From the Heart features children and the people who are working to help them. We’re addressing summer hunger — and how supporters like you are rising to the challenge.
Of course, summer hunger affects more than just children. For many of our southwestern Pennsylvania neighbors, food insecurity is a year-round issue. In fact, recent census data shows that the poverty rate is up dramatically, including DOUBLE for children, which means the problem is bigger than it’s been in a long time.
But thanks to your kindness, we’re up to the challenge … because YOU always rise to the occasion. And for that, I’m grateful.
As always, every $1 you give can help provide 3 meals. Thank you!
Gratefully,
Lisa A. Scales
President and CEO
Serving Those Who Serve
Wherever Jaliscea goes, she lives to serve: “I just love helping people.”
That’s why she joined the Army, following in the footsteps of many of her relatives. Now a sergeant, Jaliscea volunteers her free time at a veterans center.
She recently helped out at a food distribution for veterans, military members and their families. They handed out produce, meat and other groceries to hundreds of people — more than half of them veterans, but also many active-duty military families.
As many as 160,000 active-duty military members faced food insecurity last year, according to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Jaliscea says a lot of them need help, but “they’re afraid to say it.”
But Jaliscea isn’t afraid to say it. She and her husband have a blended family that includes seven children ranging in age from 1 to 13. They also care for her father, so their limited income doesn’t stretch very far.
“I don’t make a lot,” she says. “After I pay my bills, I’m pretty much done.”
At times, she wonders, “How are we going to eat this week? Or how are we going to eat next week?”
Fortunately, the food distributions make a difference.
Jaliscea says the fresh produce and nonperishable food help keep everyone eating healthily. Her kids are especially excited about the fruit. “They love bananas, apples, oranges, strawberries. They love it all.”
Jaliscea is grateful for the support from friends like you who help put food on the table for veterans — and military families like hers.
“Coming here helps us a lot,” she says. “Thank you.”
Because of you, veterans and military families are getting the help they deserve. Thank you!
Jaliscea’s story is representative of the people we serve.
Volunteer Spotlight: Sue Ellen DeRosa
Sue Ellen is no stranger to volunteering!
She used to live in eastern Pennsylvania and volunteered at a local food bank in Carlisle. Now, she lives and works as a finance manager on the west side of Pittsburgh, and she hasn’t lost her love of volunteering.
“I was looking online for ways to volunteer in Pittsburgh and this popped up. And I just really want to volunteer and give back to the community,” Sue Ellen says.
And we’re so glad she does! Sue Ellen spent her day helping out at The Market, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s on-site pantry that is set up like a grocery store. This allows neighbors who find themselves facing hunger to shop for what they need at no cost.
Sue Ellen was impressed by the size and selection of The Market, saying, “It’s really nice. There’s so much selection for everyone who comes through, and it’s a nice variety as well. It’s a really nice facility here.” And she loved meeting the neighbors who came through the doors to get the healthy food they can’t otherwise get access to. Working as a shopping buddy, she got to chat with visitors as they filled their carts. “Everyone’s really friendly. Everyone’s very polite, and they also know the ropes, so it’s more like I’m the newbie here,” she smiles. “It’s been a great experience so far!”
When you volunteer with us, you will make a difference for neighbors that you can really see! For more information on volunteering, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/volunteer.
Families Get What They Need at The Market
Jesse pushes his cart past shelves of food while his adorable young daughter dances down the aisles next to him. With her smiley-face shirt and blond hair bouncing as she goes, she’s the picture of excitement as she carefully lifts packages of sausage and cans of tomatoes into their cart.
It’s the family’s first-ever visit to The Market on North Linden Street, the Food Bank’s on-site pantry, so it makes sense that they’d both be excited. Knowing that your family doesn’t have to worry about whether they’ll have food on the table is such a relief. And Jesse feels it.
The high prices that everyone is facing right now weigh down so many community members. Jesse works at a furniture store, and work has been extremely slow, with so many people having a tough time making ends meet. That means Jesse gets fewer hours at work and takes home a smaller paycheck. And that can be devastating when food is only getting more expensive.
“Most of the time we go food shopping, meats are like $20 now … eggs are $10. You cannot make it for a couple weeks,” he says. “It’s sad. Even gas is going up.”
Thankfully, generous donors like you make programs like The Market possible, and that takes one burden off our neighbors facing food insecurity. Here, they can come shop for the foods they need just like at a supermarket, but without worrying about how much it will cost. As Jesse says, “It helps out a good bit.” And that should be enough to make anyone dance!
Your continued support helps keep families and kids fed this summer and all year long. We couldn’t be more grateful!
“All of This Helps”
Anwar loves cooking for his family of six!
Unfortunately, a few months ago, Anwar lost his job at the gas station where he worked. Now, he drives for Uber when he’s able, but the work isn’t always reliable. High gas and food prices make it even harder to make ends meet like he used to — especially with six people to feed.
Thankfully, Anwar was recently able to visit a food distribution at his children’s elementary school, along with his sons, 5-year-old Muhammad and 7-year-old Ibrahim. He was especially excited to learn that the pantry was distributing meat, which can be difficult to access on a limited budget.
Supporters like you make these school pantries possible, and that helps neighbors like Anwar!
“Food is really expensive right now,” Anwar says. “All of this helps.”
Thank you for helping neighbors and their families with your continued gifts! You make so many of our programs, like school pantries, possible.
Anwar’s story is representative of the people we serve.