A Legacy of Generosity: Jan Myers-Newbury’s Story

Charitable giving was always important to Jan Myers-Newbury and her husband, Sam. The two regularly donated to their church and community groups, plus cultural organizations such as Chatham Baroque and Oxfam, to help fund projects in Peru, where their son was born.

When Sam died in 2014, it was important to Jan that she continue with those charitable contributions. And over time, Jan has added to the list of organizations she partners with, increasing not only her donations but her volunteer time as well.

At Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we’re grateful to be one of those partner organizations. The couple began supporting the Food Bank in 1989, giving generously for 35 years. But it wasn’t until COVID-19 hit that Jan really started to think about the impact she could be part of right here in her neighborhood.

“I felt like I am so privileged here,” Jan says of her perspective during the early weeks of the pandemic. “I don’t have to worry about money. I don’t have kids at home. None of the real burden of it, other than lack of social life, really fell on me at all. We all had this certain fear of doing things, but I just decided that I wanted to do something locally.”

It was around that time that Jan became a monthly donor to the Food Bank. Shortly after that, she learned about the many volunteer opportunities available at the Food Bank and signed up with a friend to make Doorstep Deliveries. That was when she really saw firsthand how important it is for everyone in our community to be able to access the food and resources they need to thrive. Today, she helps pack boxes at our facility and distributes food a few times a month at drive-thru distributions.

“It’s really eye-opening when you’re on the ground here and you see what’s going on,” she says.

Jan built a career as a fiber artist and teacher and cancelled commitments in 2013 when Sam became sick. After he died, she continued to dye fabrics and create quilts, but she also took charge of the gardens her husband had created and maintained around their house. And the finances.

“My husband had a very tidy amount of money that I didn’t even realize in a way,” Jan says. “We were always comfortable, but I didn’t realize the extent of it until I had to be in charge of it.”

When it came time to rewrite her will, Jan added bequests for organizations that are especially important to her community, including Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. By adding the Food Bank as a beneficiary in her will, Jan will help our neighbors access the food everyone deserves far into the future.

“It makes good sense since I care so much about this place — and they do such amazing work — to include them,” she explains.

Jan remarried last May, and although she and her husband, Hugo, travel frequently, she still makes time to volunteer with the Food Bank. When given the chance, she encourages friends and community members to do the same.

“It just feels so useful,” she says. “It’s become so clear to me what the barriers are. It’s staggering … I feel like my effort and my money is being well used.”

We’re so grateful for the time and gifts that Jan has given to our community through the Food Bank over the years. She’s helping provide meals today — and for years to come.