PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO
This is Mister Rogers’ neighborhood, so it should come as no surprise that local restaurants and food banks are stepping up to the plate to help their fellow Pittsburghers.
With SNAP benefits set to pause on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown and 19,000 federal workers in the Pittsburgh region mising paychecks, some eateries are giving big.
Giant Eagle is donating $1 million to several of its food bank partners in the five-state region and is running a donation campaign at the checkout counter through late December.
In the last few days, Lelulo’s Pizzeria in Plum has already assisted more than 300 families in need through an ongoing donation drive at 415 Unity Center Road. Owner Patyn McCune regularly updates the eatery’s Facebook page according to community needs. Right now, microwavable meals (and new microwavable containers) are in high demand.
On Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, Harmony’s Union Brothers Brewing will offer approximately 800 free, pre-prepared boxed dinners that include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. The drive-thru service will operate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ma & Pop’s Country Kitchen in Bethel Park will open its doors to community members and offer pick-up and delivery of free Thanksgiving meals from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations must be made before Nov. 21 by calling 412-595-8451.
The Bloomfield Saturday Market has a donation board for customers to give or take tokens, which can be used to shop with vendors. Organizers of the market, located at 5050 Liberty Ave., between Gross and South Winebiddle streets, also posted a list of distribution sites throughout the city where residents can find food, clothing and hygiene items.
Jen Mullins owns a creepy business with a lot of heart. Throughout November, The Coffin Bean & Co., a roving coffee shop pulled by a hearse, is collecting shelf-stable food, including pet food, hygiene items and monetary donations. Every person who donates a bag of goods is placed into a drawing to receive a free drink a day in December. All items will be brought back to the company’s brick-and-mortar headquarters at 310 Clifford Ave. in Apollo, where the outdoor pantry closet will be stocked every Friday afternoon.
The secret’s out. On Dec. 13, Poetry Lounge in Millvale is giving the keys back to the building’s former tenant. For one night only, the folks from Whisper Nest will return to 313 North Ave. to spin records, tend bar, collect donations for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, with a pledge to match 100%t of what’s raised. The Food Bank’s online tool can help people find resources, from weekly groceries to boxed meals for seniors. Or you can call the food bank at 412-460-3663 ext. 655, to find food.