The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank says a donation from the Tull Family Foundation is 150,000 meals worth of food to those in need across Western Pennsylvania. Thomas Tull is a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are immensely grateful to Thomas, Alba and the Tull family for their support as we face unprecedented demand for quality food from our neighbors,\u201d said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank.<\/p>\n
Volunteers at the food bank\u2019s Duquesne facility packed boxes Friday as trucks loaded with fresh produce, ground beef, chicken and steak pulled in. Food bank leaders say the donation stands out not just for its size, but for the quality of the food being distributed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe food is a mixture of meat as well as produce offerings that are highly desirable in the community,\u201d said Justin Lee, the Food Bank\u2019s Chief Operating Officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a doubling in folks attending our on-site market on a daily basis,\u201d Lee said. \u201cWe\u2019ve also seen increased orders from our partners across southwestern Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the significant donation, the Food Bank says the need across the region is even greater.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe serve about 4 million meals a month just in food that goes out to the community,\u201d Lee said. \u201cThat 150,000-meal donation is great, but we\u2019ll go through it very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Food Bank is expanding its distribution sites and preparing for increased demand \u2014 especially as the holiday season approaches and as some families face added strain from the ongoing government shutdown.<\/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