Westmoreland Food Bank to advance its mission with support from #ONEDAY online giving event
Westmoreland Food Bank's mission is to provide ready access to food.
As told to Matt Minczeski.
Matt is director of communications and marketing at The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The Pittsburgh Foundations #ONEDAY Critical Needs Alert online giving event is raising money to support organizations that provide basic needs for our neighbors. Since 2013, Critical Needs Alerts have raised nearly $14 million. Far too many people — especially those who are Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) — are unable to meet their basic needs due to limited access to resources and opportunities that would help them thrive. Westmoreland Food Bank is among the organizations that will benefit from this year’s #ONEDAY online giving event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at PittsburghGives.org. All gifts over $25 will be increased with funds from the $550,000 incentive pool. The Foundation spoke with Westmoreland Food Bank’s CEO, Jennifer Miller, about the organization’s work and how #ONEDAY will help.
Tell us about the Westmoreland Food Bank and what you do?
The Westmoreland Food Bank’s mission is to enable our neighbors to have ready access to food. The Food Bank and its partners connect neighbors to nutritious foods through food pantries, meal programs and specialty programs for seniors, veterans and children. We provide one of the most basic human needs — nutritious food — to people who are experiencing food insecurity. The Westmoreland Food Bank sources food for distribution through donations from grocery stores, manufacturers and food drives. We also use donated funds to purchase food. Last year, we distributed 6.3 million pounds of food, including 1.7 million pounds of fresh produce to neighbors in need. With the help of 5,000 volunteers, our food pantries and programs served over 13,000 households in 2023.
Can you describe food insecurity and its impact on people in the community?
Food insecurity occurs when people don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where the next meal will come from. In the U.S. today, over 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity annually. Food insecurity is a systemic issue that can affect anyone. People facing hunger often struggle with low wage jobs, expensive housing, unemployment, high living costs and chronic health conditions. Even households with steady income can experience a temporary setback that leads to food insecurity — including job loss, natural disaster, medical emergency or family crisis. Food insecurity also means a lack of access to enough nutritious food, which can have serious consequences on a person’s health and well-being.
KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live visited the Westmoreland Food Bank to learn how #ONEDAY will support its services for Westmoreland area families.
What services are you seeing as the most in-demand in your community to address these issues?
Each of our programs has experienced an increase in participation over the last year. The cost of essentials like food has families turning to organizations that can lend a helping hand. Our food pantries have increased participation, and the fresh foods distributed at our Mobile Market and Fresh Express distributions are always in demand. Over the last year, we’ve seen a 38% increase in the number of households served through our programming. This increase in demand requires additional food, enhanced programming and targeted outreach to ensure that our community members have what they need to thrive.
What are some ongoing projects at the Westmoreland Food Bank that people should be aware of?
The Westmoreland Food Bank is always seeking new friends to support our mission. While we work all year long to address the issue of hunger in our communities, September is nationally recognized as Hunger Action Month. Each year the Food Bank hosts awareness events and activities, shining light on the mission of our organization and the neighbors we serve. We invite you to join us in raising awareness by donating, volunteering or advocating on behalf of the neighbors we serve.
As part of Hunger Action Month, we are hosting a Week of Service from Sept. 9-13. Please join us in raising awareness by participating in a countywide food drive or by signing up for a volunteer shift. For more information on participating, please visit the Week of Service website.
How will #ONEDAY matter to the Westmoreland Food Bank?
#ONEDAY is a tremendous opportunity to support our organization, and the work of other nonprofits meeting basic needs. This day of giving provides our organization with the much needed funds to carry out our mission and feed our neighbors. #ONEDAY elevates the work of our organization to caring individuals who are looking to connect to and support their communities. We are so grateful for the chance to share what we do and for the support we receive from #ONEDAY donors.