In late July we launched our Food Justice is Social Justice campaign. The goal of this initiative is to create awareness about social inequality, while educating our supporters in southwestern PA of numerous organizations in the region that are focused on ending racism and creating equality for all. The collaborative effort of the Food Bank and these organizations is focused on all digital platforms.
Since the launch of this campaign, we have highlighted the great work of 1Hood Media, Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), YWCA Center for Race & Gender Equity, and the Latino Community Center on our website homepage and social media channels.
We are delighted to continue to share the voice of community organizations in our region. Today, we welcome AD99 Solutions Foundation. Founded in 2019 by two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Pittsburgh native, Aaron Donald, the foundation aims to change the trajectory of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable youth by providing the necessary resources needed in a free, safe environment so they may excel athletically, academically and socially.
Join us today as we support the mission of another amazing organization here in Pittsburgh which is striving to ensure access to good nutrition, academics and community involvement.
Lisa Scales
President & CEO
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Academic Achievement Begins at the Dinner Table
When many American teenagers sit down at their dining room tables, little thought goes into where their meal came from and how it impacts their everyday health. For one in three Black males living in Alleghany County, whether or not food will be on the table—and its actual nutritional content—are often questionable.
In 2019, NFL veteran and Pittsburgh native Aaron Donald created the AD99 Solutions Foundation with a mission to change the trajectory of the city’s underserved youth – particularly Black males. The Foundation’s daily objective is to help guide its students toward lifelong success through a holistic collective of academic, athletic, and life and career skills programming.
As the Foundation developed its programs, it was apparent that two elements needed to be front and center for our students to be successful: family involvement and a focus on health and nutrition. Because academic success begins at the dinner table.
Through the Fuel for Success initiative, the Foundation partners with local and national companies like Ready Nutrition to help bring practical resources and education to the Pittsburgh-area communities where it’s needed the most. To date, the Foundation has provided more than 500 healthy snack bags to nonprofit summer camps and donated more than 1,600 Ready Nutrition’ Ready Waters’ to the Woodland Hills Wolverines for their recent all-star tournament.
Through the Foundation’s monthly family meetings, staff, volunteers, and experts provide our students and their families with nutritional information, cooking, and other how-to tips for healthy lifestyles on a limited budget. Additionally, monthly outings like hiking, rock climbing, and biking help the Foundation’s students learn how to incorporate health and fitness into their everyday living.
The many challenges facing Pittsburgh’s underserved youth are steep, but they’re not insurmountable. Click here to learn more about the AD99 Solutions Foundation.