Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians won’t receive food assistance through SNAP in November because of the federal government shutdown.
The aid is critical. According to Feeding America, one in eight people in the Greater Pittsburgh area struggle with food insecurity.
Find food assistance or ways to support neighbors in need ⬇️
Multiple locations
Individuals, restaurants, farms, and grocery retailers can give to the food bank. The easiest way to help is through monetary donations so the bank can purchase in bulk. For assistance, check the distribution schedule.
Multiple locations
Steel City Food Not Bombs leads distributions for groceries, hot meals, and other supplies at multiple locations in the city. Donate, contribute to their Amazon Wish List, or get involved at community events.
Ross
Residents in northern townships are eligible for distributions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the donations page for needed items like juice, bread, oatmeal, and canned soup.
North Side
Distributions are on Wednesdays and Fridays. Learn about accepted items and how to donate by emailing jkyriazis@lightoflife.org. Light of Life also serves two meals a day. For $3.14, you can provide a nourishing meal to an unhoused neighbor; $49 gives them a warm place to sleep, shower, and eat. Donate here.
California-Kirkbride
The pantry on Brighton Road is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Canned, boxed, and other nonperishable items are always in demand. Donate or volunteer at their Free Produce Market in Northview Heights.
Greenfield
The pantry is open every weekday. Nonperishable food, personal care items, and diapers are always accepted. Donate or volunteer.
East Liberty
The Community Food Services Kitchen serves over 1,300 hot meals every week. Become a sponsor, or volunteer for upcoming holiday meals. Fresh produce, dairy, and dry goods are available at the pantry Monday through Friday. See hours and ways to donate.
Wilkinsburg
The physical pantry is open Monday through Friday, and WCM’s mobile pantry travels to different neighborhoods throughout the week. Donate to their wish list.
North Oakland
The food pantry is open for walk-ins every third Saturday of each month. Recipients must register for a box. Tip: They stock halal meat.
North Oakland
PCSI’s Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday. Recipients must meet eligibility requirements.
Homestead
Rainbow Kitchen’s anti-hunger programs include hot breakfasts on weekdays, dinners through the kids cafe on weekdays, grocery distribution through their main pantry, and satellite pantries for local seniors. Volunteer or donate.
Crawford-Roberts
The organization operates two food pantries and provides hot meals every day. Volunteer or donate.
Squirrel Hill South
Every week, volunteers prepare fresh meals that are distributed to neighbors. Get cooking or donate.
Allegheny Center
The collective distributes hot meals, clothing, and toiletries in Allegheny Commons Park every first, second, and third Saturday. Contribute via Patreon or Venmo.
Middle Hill
The project helps people apply for assistance; operates an emergency food pantry; and provides weekly hot meals and bagged lunches. Get assistance or donate.
If you run a restaurant, grocery store, or local farm, donate surplus food to 412 Food Rescue.
- Don’t work in food service? Become a Food Rescue Hero and deliver meals.
- Have leftover food from a corporate party? Call (412) 277-3831 or email becca@412foodrescue.org to arrange a pick up.
Help fight poverty and hunger in Pittsburgh by volunteering to support their farmers market program or advocate for public policy change.
The mutual aid group helps people find shelter, groceries, and more support through their resource network. Get involved or donate.
Find this colorful fridge and pantry behind The Garden Café. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Community Free Fridges
The Garden Café community fridge accepts groceries, shelf-stable items, and toiletries. Pre-packaged foods, fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products are always first to go. Prepared foods can be donated as long as they’re from a commercial kitchen and have all the ingredients listed.
You can’t miss the rainbow-painted fridge and pantry behind the Millvale Community Library. The fridge accepts fresh and frozen items and often contains drop-offs from nearby restaurants. Support the fridge by donating food, buying items on their Amazon Wish List, or volunteering.
The free pantry and fridge — or “freedge” — is a grassroots effort to ease hunger on the North Side. Bring donations like produce, eggs, canned goods, and personal hygiene items to 1301 Davis Ave.
Second Harvest Community Thrift Store has a pantry and fridges outside the shop. See their list of most-needed items, like non-perishible food, diapers, and juice. Frozen or refrigerated meals are accepted when sealed and labeled with the date and ingredients.
Saint John Church operates a free fridge in partnership with FreeStore 15106. Requested donations include frozen fruit and vegetables, eggs and dairy, frozen waffles, soup, and Uncrustable sandwiches.
Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries serves the Hazelwood, Glenwood, Glen Hazel, and Greenfield areas with group lunches, a food pantry on the first Saturday of each month, and a free fridge on the front porch.
Residents can find free food at a fridge at 609 6th St. And less than half a mile away, Free Store 15104 provides clothes, household items, diapers and formula, and more. Support the fridge by donating to the Braddock Youth Project.
Garden City United Methodist Church and Garden City Food Pantry partner to stock a community fridge. Groceries, prepared meals, and canned goods are available, in addition to personal care items.
If you currently receive SNAP benefits, you can still use existing EBT funds, and DHS will continue processing applications and renewals. County Assistance Offices are still open. Need food now? Call 211 or visit www.pa211.org.
