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Students from Perry High School help organize the food pantry Credit: CP photo by Jake Mysliwczyk<\/p>\nStudents from Perry High School help organize the food pantry Credit: CP photo by Jake Mysliwczyk<\/p>\n
In 2020-21, after losing my full-time job and facing the pandemic mid-divorce, my family needed SNAP assistance to survive. While I continued working a part-time freelancing gig while searching vigorously for a full-time job, at least I didn\u2019t have the additional worry about how my kids were going to eat.<\/p>\n
Now, according to the most recent Federal Reserve Economic Data<\/a> report, approximately 162,000 Allegheny County residents receive SNAP benefits, about 35% of whom are children. The sudden loss of SNAP benefits will put more pressure on families to afford groceries and increase demand on already-strained food banks and charities. Families may have to choose between paying for food and other necessities. Food banks and pantries are bracing for a surge in demand, which is particularly challenging because they are also dealing with decreased federal and state funding<\/a>.<\/p>\n The silver lining in all this, while it\u2019s quite thin, is that we are a city of neighbors. Just after the announcement on Oct. 17 that Pa. was losing SNAP funding for the month of November, local advocates such as 1Hood Power<\/a> began posting lists of free food resources in Pittsburgh, including local organizations, churches, and free markets. These food assistance sites offer support and dignity to anyone in need, no questions asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n Below, I\u2019ve compiled a list of every resource in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas that I could find online. These resources include pantries, free fridges, food banks, and free grocery programs by neighborhood or region. Be sure to check operating hours before visiting, as some schedules vary by season or month. Please email me directly<\/a> if you know of additional resources or if any of these resources have changed.<\/p>\n East End & Wilkinsburg<\/p>\n East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM)<\/p>\n 6140 Station St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206<\/p>\n Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30\u201311:30 a.m.<\/p>\n Provides a food pantry, community meals, and emergency services for East Liberty residents. eecm.org<\/a> 412-361-5549<\/p>\n St. Mary Magdalene Parish Food Pantry<\/p>\n 7321 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208<\/p>\n Every second and fourth Wednesday, 9-11 a.m.<\/p>\n Offers pantry goods and home delivery for East End residents. 412-661-7222<\/p>\n Mount Ararat Community Activity Center Food Bank<\/p>\n 745 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206<\/p>\n Every second Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.<\/p>\n Partnered with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.<\/p>\n Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM)<\/p>\n 702 Wood St., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221<\/p>\n Pantry open Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.<\/p>\n Offers food pantry, hot meals, and senior programs. <\/a>wcm15221.org<\/a>, 412-241-8072<\/p>\n Wilkinsburg Mobile Food Pantry (Community Forge)<\/p>\n Community Forge Playground, 1256 Franklin Ave., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221<\/p>\n Every Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Community-run pantry in partnership with Cure Violence East and WCM. bethany@forge.community 412-501-2055<\/p>\n South Side & South Hills<\/p>\n Brashear Association Food Pantry<\/p>\n 2005 Sarah St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203<\/p>\n Every second and fourth Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.<\/p>\n Serving South Side residents. 412-431-2236<\/p>\n Jubilee Soup Kitchen & Pantry<\/p>\n 2005 Wyandotte St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219<\/p>\n Daily meals at 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m.; Pantry Wednesdays, 9:30\u201311 a.m.<\/p>\n Hot meals served daily, plus weekly groceries. 412-261-5417<\/p>\n South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)<\/p>\n 5301 Park Ave., Bethel Park, PA 15102<\/p>\n Pantry Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.<\/p>\n Distributes food to South Hills families and supports immigrant communities.<\/p>\n shimcares.org<\/a>, 412-854-9120<\/p>\n Brentwood Presbyterian Church Food Pantry<\/p>\n Brentwood, PA<\/p>\n Third Saturday of each month, 9-11 a.m.<\/p>\n In partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. <\/a>pittsburghfoodbank.org\/gethelp<\/a><\/p>\n North Side & North Hills<\/p>\n Northside Common Ministries Food Pantry<\/p>\n 1601 Brighton Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15212<\/p>\n Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Provides emergency food, housing, and ID assistance for Northside residents. 412-323-1163<\/p>\n North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO)<\/p>\n 1975 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park, PA 15101<\/p>\n Appointment-based pantry, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.<\/p>\n Serves northern Allegheny County residents with food and utility assistance. nhco.org<\/a> 412-487-6316<\/p>\n Additional NHCO Sites:<\/p>\n Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.<\/p>\n Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave., Monthly on Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.<\/p>\n North Hills Christian Church Family Food Distribution<\/p>\n 778 Thompson Run Rd., Glenshaw<\/p>\n Registration is required; all are welcome. Mondays, 5-6 p.m.<\/p>\n The Millvale Free Fridge and Pantry<\/p>\n Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., Millvale.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Both the free fridge and pantry are accessible to the public 24 hours a day. The fridge is stocked with fresh and frozen groceries and meals from community members and local food partners, including 412 Food Rescue, the Gardens of Millvale, Sprezzatura, Lemon Tree Coffee, Abielle Voyante Tea Co., and more.<\/p>\n Brighton Heights Free Fridge<\/p>\n Behind New Life Family Worship Center at Brighton, Davis & Shadeland Avenues<\/p>\n A 24\/7 community fridge and pantry stocked by neighbors. Listed on Google Maps as Bright Heights Freedge.<\/p>\n Bread of Life Pantry, Etna<\/p>\n Community-based food pantry serving Etna and the surrounding river communities.<\/p>\n West View Hub & Ridgewood Church Pantry<\/p>\n West View, Bellevue, and Ross Township<\/p>\n Local pantries offering groceries and essentials for the north suburbs.<\/p>\n Oakland, Hill District & Central Pittsburgh<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. (PCSI) Food Pantry<\/p>\n 249 North Craig St., North Oakland<\/p>\n Monday\u2013Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; open until 8 p.m. Thursdays (Sept.-Dec.)<\/p>\n Provides groceries and healthy recipes. Walk-ins welcome once per month. pghcsi.org\/food-pantry-nutrition-support<\/a>\u00a0 412-904-4700<\/p>\n Community Human Services (CHS)<\/p>\n 370 Lawn St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213<\/p>\n Wednesdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays 3-6 p.m. (rear entrance)<\/p>\n chscorp.org<\/a><\/p>\n CCRiP Food Distro<\/p>\n Community Care & Resistance in Pittsburgh hosts multiple weekly outdoor distributions:<\/p>\n Sundays, 12 p.m. Unity Recovery (801 Bingham St) and 1:30 p.m. at 2nd Ave Commons (700 2nd Ave.)<\/p>\n Wednesdays, 5\u20138 p.m. outside Allegheny County Jail (950 2nd Ave)<\/p>\n Instagram: @ccrip_outreach<\/a><\/p>\n Duquesne & Mon Valley<\/p>\n The Market at Duquesne<\/p>\n 1 N. Linden St., Duquesne, PA 15110<\/p>\n Mondays\/Wednesdays\/Fridays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays\/Thursdays 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.<\/p>\n A free grocery store where folks can register and shop with volunteer assistance.<\/p>\n Duquesne Food Pantry (Pittsburgh Area Community Schools)<\/p>\n Duquesne City School District<\/p>\n Contact: Alexis Thomas, athomas@pghareacs.org<\/p>\n bit.ly\/3YJBVY4<\/a><\/p>\n St. Paul A.M.E. Church Food Pantry<\/p>\n 1350 Locust St., McKeesport, PA 15132<\/p>\n Every second and fourth Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.<\/p>\n Free produce, dry goods, and meats; no income requirements.<\/p>\n Monroeville & Eastern Suburbs<\/p>\n Cross Roads Presbyterian Food Pantry<\/p>\n Monroeville<\/p>\n crossroadspresbyterian.com\/food-pantry.html<\/a><\/p>\n Garden City Food Pantry & Community Fridge<\/p>\n Monroeville<\/p>\n gardencityfoodpantry.org<\/a><\/p>\n Reclamation Community Center<\/p>\n Monroeville<\/p>\n reclamationcommunitycenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n Gateway Pop-Up Pantry<\/p>\n Gateway High School, Monroeville<\/p>\n 2nd Wednesday of each month: drive-up, no ID required.<\/p>\n Distributes produce, milk, eggs, and premade foods.<\/p>\n Monroeville Free Pantry (Little Pantry Project)<\/p>\n Community Park West, behind the gazebo on the trail.<\/p>\n A new volunteer-stocked pantry is available to the public.<\/p>\n Penn Hills & Verona<\/p>\n Penn Hills Library Community Fridge<\/p>\n 1037 Stotler Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235<\/p>\n Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n Fresh produce, milk, and eggs are available, and there is no registration or income limit. pennhillslibrary.org\/community-fridge<\/a><\/p>\n Rosedale Food Pantry<\/p>\n Serves Verona and Penn Hills residents. rosedalefoodpantry.org<\/a><\/p>\n Sharpsburg & Nearby Communities<\/p>\n Second Harvest Thrift Community Fridge<\/p>\n Sharpsburg<\/p>\n secondharvestthrift.com\/community-fridge<\/a><\/p>\n Offers free food and community resources.<\/p>\n Dormont & South Boroughs<\/p>\n Dormont Free Pantry<\/p>\n This community pantry is open on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6-7 p.m. and the second and fourth Sundays from 2-3 p.m.<\/p>\n Citywide Programs<\/p>\n City of Pittsburgh Police Zone Thanksgiving Meal Program<\/p>\n Free Thanksgiving meals for anyone living within city limits. Meals are delivered on Thanksgiving Day. Sign up at your local police zone station.<\/p>\n In addition to these resources, WXPI recently published a guide to food pantries and soup kitchens around the Pittsburgh area<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re able, consider donating to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank since they are able to buy in bulk and stretch their food purchasing dollars further. Consider volunteering at a neighborhood pantry or soup kitchen, or getting involved with mutual aid, either by offering food or offering to pick up food for those who are unable to drive. Small recurring donations help local nonprofits plan for the future and keep these vital resources running.<\/p>\n Please reach out to me directly<\/a> if you know of any additional resources or any changes that need to be made to this page. The aim is for this to be a living, comprehensive document that can be used as a community resource during this difficult time.<\/p>\n This article appears in Oct. 22-28, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n RELATED\t