412 Food Rescue collects surplus food to help those in need

As we continue to cover the fallout of the federal government shutdown, we are also following the ways millions of Americans are struggling after losing access to SNAP benefits to help feed their families. Pittsburgh’s Action News Anchor Janelle Hall is focusing not only the need and the struggle but also how Pittsburghers are teaming up to fight hunger and reduce food waste one delivery at a time.“When people are struggling to get food on the table, that’s where we come in,” said Alyssa Cholodofsky, CEO of 412 Food Rescue. Through an app on your phone, the 412 Food Rescue program allows volunteers to become the key connection between businesses donating food and the agencies in our area serving food to those in need. “We kind of say it’s a DoorDash for good,” Cholodofsky said.“It’s a surplus — good food. And often times, it’s produce that has a quick expiration date. We take it right into neighborhoods that are food insecure.”Theresa Long is the program director for the Moon Crest Neighborhood Programs in Moon Township. She told us the weekly 412 Food Rescue deliveries are an amazing benefit to their community.Between losing SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown and a lack of public transportation, Long explained there are “many challenges that face the community when it comes to food access.”“People are suffering a little bit,” Long said.“We have seen what happens with our children when they don’t get the proper nutrition or just their social and emotional well-being suffers. And families, when they’re stressed, they suffer too. So this little bit of food security helps.”In 2024, 412 Food Rescue volunteers delivered 4.7 million pounds of food around the Pittsburgh-area through the help of a people-powered app. Over the past 10 years, the organization helped deliver 25 million pounds of rescued food in Western Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH —

As we continue to cover the fallout of the federal government shutdown, we are also following the ways millions of Americans are struggling after losing access to SNAP benefits to help feed their families.

Pittsburgh’s Action News Anchor Janelle Hall is focusing not only the need and the struggle but also how Pittsburghers are teaming up to fight hunger and reduce food waste one delivery at a time.

“When people are struggling to get food on the table, that’s where we come in,” said Alyssa Cholodofsky, CEO of 412 Food Rescue.

Through an app on your phone, the 412 Food Rescue program allows volunteers to become the key connection between businesses donating food and the agencies in our area serving food to those in need.

“We kind of say it’s a DoorDash for good,” Cholodofsky said.

“It’s a surplus — good food. And often times, it’s produce that has a quick expiration date. We take it right into neighborhoods that are food insecure.”

Theresa Long is the program director for the Moon Crest Neighborhood Programs in Moon Township. She told us the weekly 412 Food Rescue deliveries are an amazing benefit to their community.

Between losing SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown and a lack of public transportation, Long explained there are “many challenges that face the community when it comes to food access.”

“People are suffering a little bit,” Long said.

“We have seen what happens with our children when they don’t get the proper nutrition or just their social and emotional well-being suffers. And families, when they’re stressed, they suffer too. So this little bit of food security helps.”

In 2024, 412 Food Rescue volunteers delivered 4.7 million pounds of food around the Pittsburgh-area through the help of a people-powered app. Over the past 10 years, the organization helped deliver 25 million pounds of rescued food in Western Pennsylvania.