Querido amigo,
Food insecurity rates have hit a 10-year high, and that means a growing number of southwestern Pennsylvanians are facing hunger. Reduced SNAP benefits and recent cuts to Medicaid have created another layer of hardship, putting an extra squeeze on many household budgets.
This is especially true for older neighbors. Every day can bring impossible decisions. Should they purchase the medications they need to stay well or buy groceries for the week? Should they keep their heat on during cold nights or stock their pantry? No one — especially seniors who have given so much to our community over the years — should have to face such choices.
At Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we’re committed to ensuring everyone has reliable access to nutritious food, and we need your support now more than ever. As you read through this edition of News from the Heart, which focuses on how we’re supporting older adults, I ask you to think about the seniors in your own life. Then consider making a generous gift today to help provide nourishing meals that will fuel their bodies and warm their hearts.
Remember, every $1 you donate can help provide up to 3 meals for someone facing hunger. Your compassion and generosity make a real difference in the lives of our older neighbors. Thank you.
Lisa A. Scales
Presidente y Director General
Helping Our Older Neighbors
People like Howard are so grateful for your kindness and support
Howard, age 89, is retired. He’s lived around Chicora his whole life and worked for a local newspaper, as he says with a laugh, “for a lot of years … probably longer than what you guys are at your age.”
Even after a lifetime of working, Howard says living on a fixed income is difficult right now.
That’s where the food distribution at the Butler City Farmers Market comes in. Thanks to the compassion of donors like you, Howard doesn’t have to make the impossible choice between paying his bills and putting food on the table.
“I never thought I’d do this, but sometimes you got to lose that pride,” he says. “I want to thank you for the food that you give us.”
Howard has been visiting the food distribution for the last few years. He comes with a friend who has trouble walking, and he makes sure she has food as well.
His outward gratitude, his humor and his love for those around him is uplifting. But Howard’s concern for his neighbors is serious.
“There are people that we care about here. We’d go hungry at times if you didn’t help,” Howard says. “Thank you.”
Older neighbors like Howard are so grateful for your generosity and kindness. Thank you for providing food and comfort!
Your Support Makes a Real Difference
Our neighbors have the healthy food we all need to stay well
Fred has lived in Kittanning for about 10 years, and says he’s visited the food pantry at Grace Presbyterian Church for many of those years.
He has a progressive nerve disease, which affects his mobility. When Fred has a good day, like today, he is able to walk to the food pantry. The food he can access there helps him stretch his budget to accommodate the special diet he needs to follow.
Fred says he can often make the food he takes home last throughout the month. And some months, he’s able to share excess food with others who live nearby.
As much as Fred wishes he didn’t need to come to the food pantry, he’s incredibly thankful that he can. “I’ve been working to get off of these services, but I do know that they’re available and I’m very grateful for them,” he says.
Fred lives right up the street from the pantry, which makes it a convenient stop in his rural community. He’s thankful for that, and for friends like you who support food pantries like this one.
“Thank you,” he says. “These services are very, very beneficial. Very useful.”
Your support helps provide nutritious meals for neighbors like Fred. Thanks to you, more people have the food they need, when they need it.
“It’s Good to Help People Out”
Meet a neighbor who’s happy to be giving back
Tom worked as a butcher for 25 years and after retiring in 2023 signed up to be a recipient at the Grace Presbyterian Church food pantry in Kittanning. Not long after, he started volunteering.
“I signed up for the food pantry when I retired. It helped us out a little bit and I knew the people, and the one girl recruited me to come down,” Tom explains. “She said, ‘We need you man.’ So I just volunteered.”
Given his career as a butcher, it’s not surprising they put him in charge of handling the meat that comes in, among other things. He’s able to talk with neighbors as they come through and give tips on how to cook the items he’s distributing.
The food pantry at Grace Presbyterian Church allows neighbors to walk through and pick out what they want and need, which Tom says everyone really likes. And he enjoys being a part of it all.
“It gives me something to do, plus I’m helping, which feels good,” he says. “People really appreciate it.”
Just talking to Tom, you can see the happiness volunteering brings him. And his advice to others is to volunteer as well. “I would volunteer … It’s good to help people out, to do stuff to help and see the smiles on their faces,” he says.
Friends like you help make these connections possible, building a stronger community and getting us one step closer to a future where everyone is food secure.
We hope you’ll consider joining volunteers like Tom in supporting our local pantries. Your time and talents can help neighbors throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
Lending a Helping Hand
Sherri finds fresh, healthy food for her family at The Market
Sherri is a caregiver through and through. She spent the better part of the last few years taking care of her mother-in-law, who had Alzheimer’s, and then her own mom after she was diagnosed as well.
As much as she loves taking care of others, her biggest joy comes from her grandsons, ages 10 and 5. She loves to cook for them … and for her entire family.
Sherri and her husband have been married for 42 years, and they’ve worked together to raise their family and build their life. They are currently unable to work due to disability, and Sherri says the fresh food she can get from The Market really helps out.
“I like being able to come here and get all the vegetables that you have,” she says. “But I
like everything!”
She and her sister come to The Market together twice a month and get what they need to stretch their limited budgets. As costs continue to rise and federal support shrinks, this is becoming more of a lifeline than ever.
“It’s a big help, a real big help,” she says.
Thank you for your generous support. Your kindness makes a difference for seniors like Sherri!