PITTSBURGH \u2014 A Pittsburgh-area dad who went viral last year trying to feed his community got a huge boost in his efforts on Saturday. <\/p>\n
A.J. Owen started a food bank in his backyard last fall, and the community stepped up to help him when everything was stolen. One of the many people who supported the effort was Steelers defensive end Yahya Black.<\/a><\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Community rallies after man\u2019s food pantry is wiped out in Whitehall<\/a><\/p>\n Since then, Owen created the PGH Meals initiative to help supplement summer meals for kids across Allegheny County. <\/p>\n Ultimately, everything Owen collected became a major donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Owen, Black and around two dozen volunteers filled a truck with $50,000 in food and drinks. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you would have told me I would have had $50,000 worth of food in my house and had a business that I never knew before, but now I\u2019m great friends with the owners and everyone that works there, I would have called you crazy,\u201c Owen said. \u201dBut crazier things have happened and here we are with quite literally a massive, massive, massive donation.\u201d <\/p>\n Food bank officials say donations like Owen\u2019s make a difference. <\/p>\n \u201cLast year we provided over 142,000 summer meals over 40 sites, so donations like these really help make sure that during those summer months, when kids aren\u2019t in school and don\u2019t have a lunch program are still able to get the food that they need,\u201d Maria Montaro said. <\/p>\n By donating the food to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Owen says every item will reach families who need it. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n