When I was a kid, we’d always sing “Over the River and Through the Woods” as we made our annual pilgrimage to my grandmother’s Christmas Eve party. While it was actually over the creek and through the district with all the factories and mini malls, the drive had a certain magic to it. We knew at the end of that journey we’d be united with family, given gifts, and stuffed with loads of turkey, ham, venison stew, potato salad, cookies, and pie.
Not everyone has a grandma’s house to go to, not to mention access to a car, presents, or even food. According to Axios, Pittsburgh’s poverty rate increased last year to around 20%, or ca. 57,000 people, not to mention an uptick in homelessness around the county. And with a decrease in SNAP, Medicaid, and other safety nets, the need for community support continues to rise.
As I said in my recent article about finding food assistance across Pittsburgh, we are a city of neighbors. And because of that, there are several organizations offering free holiday meals, grocery distributions, and year-round food support. Together, these resources create a strong safety net for individuals who could use a little extra help this season.
Holiday Meals Pittsburgh
Holiday Meals Pittsburgh provides free single-serving Christmas dinners to anyone in need across the region, with volunteer drivers delivering meals directly to homes. The program is designed to be completely barrier-free, offering both individual and family-sized portions without requiring any personal information. It remains one of the most direct and reliable ways for Pittsburgh residents to receive a holiday meal in December.
Holiday Meals Pittsburgh serves up holiday ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and pie. They accommodate family-sized orders, and all meals are delivered by volunteer drivers for a contactless experience. You can request a holiday meal from Holiday Meals Pittsburgh by filling out the Request a Meal form on their website.
If you have questions or need to contact them (not to place a meal order — orders must go through the form), you can email them at redscarf412@gmail.com. If you are looking to donate or volunteer, you may also sign up on their website.
St. Peter & St. Paul Ukranian Orthodox Church and Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church in Carnegie. Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson
St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Carnegie)
The Christmas Community Dinner hosted by St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church offers free meals for take-out or delivery on December 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. Serving Carnegie and several nearby communities, the church requires pre-orders by December 23 and provides convenient pickup at the parish hall or direct delivery, with volunteers confirming details by call or text. Delivery services are available within specific ZIP codes: 15106, 15205, 15220, 15242, 15017, 15243, and 15216. If you prefer take-out, you can pick up at the church hall.
The parish hall is part of the church’s contact network — you can reach them at 412-276-9718 (parish hall) or 412-279-2111 (rectory) for questions or to confirm delivery eligibility.
Christmas Day at Pitt
The University of Pittsburgh’s long-running Christmas Day at Pitt celebration invites anyone in the community to enjoy a free meal at The Eatery at Towers on December 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No registration or tickets are required, making it a welcoming option for neighbors who may be spending the holiday alone or simply need a place to enjoy a warm meal among others.
For those who would like to help others this holiday season, you may consider donating a wrapped or unwrapped gift to the children who join the Annual Christmas Day at Pitt. The Drive runs through Dec. 12.
Shadyside Academy eighth grader Maxwell Kimbrough, 13, helps load up food supplies into a car during a 412 Food Rescue Credit: CP photo: Jared Wickerham
412 Food Rescue
Throughout December, 412 Food Rescue expands its Grocery Bagging Program to deliver additional bags of rescued groceries to households experiencing food insecurity. Their efforts also support community-run fridges across the city, including locations in Millvale and Brighton Heights, which operate 24/7 and allow anyone to access fresh and shelf-stable foods without appointments or eligibility requirements.
An additional 300 bags will be distributed to local households through Blueprints in Washington County and Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. in Allegheny County over the course of the holiday season. The program hopes to ease food pressures for hundreds.
Sam Pozutto of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank shuttles boxes of cabbage across the Duquesne warehouse. Credit: Photo by Heather Mull
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank continues to support residents through The Market, its on-site pantry where eligible neighbors can pick up free groceries, and through its directory of food-pantry partners across the region. By entering a ZIP code online, families can quickly locate the nearest pantry and access the items they need throughout the holiday season.
GPCFB is active this holiday season, providing distributions of groceries and other essentials through its network of pantries. These distributions help ensure that families have access to fresh produce, pantry staples, and other food items — enabling holiday meals even for those who may not get a prepared Christmas dinner.
Credit: Image courtesy of Community Kitchen
Community Kitchen Pittsburgh contributes to regional food security by preparing meals that are distributed through local shelters and partner agencies. Although they do not offer a public holiday meal service, their large-scale production ensures that people relying on shelters or transitional housing have access to hot, professionally prepared meals throughout December.
Community Kitchen is, however, offering Holiday Catering this year. If you’d like to give back to both their culinary training program and their hunger relief programs while enjoying a delicious meal (that you don’t have to cook), you can do so by reaching out to them at ckcatering@ckpgh.org.
Light of Life Rescue Mission executive director Jerrel Gilliam Credit: Courtesy of Light of Life Rescue Mission
Light of Life Rescue Mission
Light of Life Rescue Mission supports individuals and families through its weekly grocery distributions at the East Lacock Street pantry. Open on Wednesdays and Fridays, the pantry provides access to fresh, packaged, and canned food, offering an essential resource for people navigating food insecurity during the holiday season.
This year, every $3.14 donated will provide two holiday meals as well as safe shelter and care for hungry neighbors in Pittsburgh.
North Hills Community Outreach Dec. 2025 food pantry dates Credit: North Hills Community Outreach
The food pantry operated by North Hills Community Outreach serves Millvale, Bellevue, Allison Park, and several surrounding neighborhoods through three pantry locations. Their services help northern-suburb residents access stable grocery support, which can be especially valuable as holiday expenses rise.
NHCO is also hosting a toy drive this season through Dec. 15. You can drop off a new toy at any of their three office locations in the North Hills, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM)
EECM’s Community House provides both a food pantry and regular community meals, offering dependable assistance for families facing reduced SNAP benefits or rising grocery costs. Their programming is designed to meet emergency needs while maintaining a welcoming environment for neighbors throughout the East End.
EECM is hosting a public holiday meal event on Dec.19. The meal will be served from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 6140 Station Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, and it’s open to all who attend. The menu includes holiday-style sides and desserts, making it a good option for individuals and families seeking a sit-down meal before Christmas.
To get in touch with EECM, you can use their general email eecm@eecm.org or call (412) 361-5549.
Metro Community Health Center is an integrated medical, mental health, and dental clinic, located in Swissvale, serving the neighborhoods of Swissvale, Wilkinsburg, Braddock, and the greater Pittsburgh area. They offer a sliding pay program and accept Medicare and Medicaid.
This year, Metro Community Health Center is hosting a Winter Holiday Food Distribution on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 331 Penn Ave. in Wilkinsburg. They will be handing out free chickens, hams, and sides to help their neighbors in need enjoy a healthy holiday meal. This holiday offering is first-come, first-served, while supplies last, and no registration is required.
The QMNTY Center holds a World Aids Day Mini Ball on the Northside on Feb. 7, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson
QMNTY Center
For Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community, TransYOUniting, the QMNTY Center, and Proud Haven will be hosting A Very Merry Queermas to You dinner. This “meal to share with people who care” will be served on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. at 525 East Ohio St. in Pittsburgh. More details to come.
North Hills Food Bank
Located on the campus of Hiland Presbyterian Church, the North Hills Food Bank serves residents in Ross and West View while also maintaining a 24/7 blessing box stocked with shelf-stable foods and household essentials. This around-the-clock access ensures that neighbors can find support whenever they need it most.
Millvale Free Fridge & Brighton Heights Free Fridge
These community-operated fridges are stocked by volunteers and local food-rescue partners, offering an always-open source of fresh produce, pantry items, and essentials. Their no-barrier approach allows anyone to take what they need at any hour, making them crucial resources throughout the winter months.
If you hear about any other free or cheap meal services this holiday season, please reach out to me directly, and I will happily add them to this list. From all of us at Pittsburgh City Paper, we wish you a warm and happy holiday season.
This article appears in The Big Winter Issue: Winter Guide/People of the Year.
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