United Way to distribute rapid response funds from The Heinz Endowments
PITTSBURGH (Nov. 12, 2025) – Across United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s five-county service region, people are facing impossible choices. Both the federal government shutdown and ongoing state budget impasse have disrupted critical programs that hundreds of thousands depend on, including SNAP food assistance. As a result, more than 300,000 people in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties who receive SNAP benefits are at risk of going hungry this month. Children, older adults and people with disabilities — who comprise 35%, 25% and 11% of SNAP beneficiaries respectively — have been hit hardest.
In response to the SNAP benefit disruption due to the shutdown, The Heinz Endowments is partnering with United Way to distribute $550,000 in rapid response grants to agencies and organizations experiencing a surge in food needs this month. These agencies were already struggling with increasing food insecurity prior to the shutdown. United Way’s relationships with local nonprofits and expertise in community needs have guided the selection of 42 organizations addressing food systems and food security to receive funds this week. The Heinz Endowments is also making additional food assistance grants.
“Because United Way has deep relationships with hundreds of partners across our region, we understand community needs and are able to act decisively and strategically to support the agencies best equipped to put food on tables,” said United Way President & CEO Bobbi Watt Geer.
“We greatly appreciate our partnership with the Heinz Endowments and this timely grant to help us alleviate stress and suffering. No one should have to worry about a Thanksgiving without enough food or choosing between utilities and groceries.”
Grants will support four food banks and 38 agencies providing immediate emergency food to households across the region. Funds will be used to distribute prepared meals, after-school meals, formula for infants and Meals on Wheels and to stock community-based free fridges and pantry shelves with nonperishables.
“United Way’s Community Impact team has been in constant communication with our partner agencies well before SNAP food assistance was suspended,” said United Way Chief Program and Policy Officer Sally Ellwein. “Our partners are overwhelmed with the need for food assistance. The uncertainty about if and when benefits will arrive is causing enormous stress and anxiety on top of the strain already caused by inflation. We are hopeful that these grants will reduce some of that stress.”
| Agency | Funding Amount |
| 412 Food Rescue | $50,000 |
| Abiding Missions | $5,000 |
| AgeWell at the JCC | $15,000 |
| Allegheny Intermediate Unit Highlands Family Center | $5,000 |
| Armstrong County Community Action* | $50,000 |
| Beverly’s Birthdays | $7,500 |
| Braddock Redux | $1,500 |
| Bread of Life Food Pantry | $2,500 |
| Catholic Charities – Greensburg | $7,500 |
| Catholic Charities – Pittsburgh | $10,000 |
| Community Health Clinic | $2,500 |
| Community Meal Ministries | $7,500 |
| Fayette County Community Action* | $100,000 |
| Feeding the Spirit | $8,000 |
| Garden City Food Pantry | $1,500 |
| Human Services Center Mon Valley | $2,500 |
| Jamar Place of Peace | $5,000 |
| Jeannette Free Op Store | $2,000 |
| Jewish Family and Community Services | $8,000 |
| Jubilee Association, Inc. | $7,500 |
| Knead Community Café | $7,500 |
| Macedonia FACE | $10,000 |
| Millvale Community Library | $1,500 |
| Mission Agape | $5,000 |
| North Side Partnership Project | $2,500 |
| Rainbow Kitchen Community Services | $8,000 |
| Sampson’s Mills Cupboard Stretchers | $2,500 |
| South Hills Interfaith Movement | $10,000 |
| St. Mary Magdalene Ministry Center | $2,500 |
| St. Michael and All Angels Food Bank | $2,500 |
| St. Winifred Food Pantry | $5,000 |
| The Lighthouse Foundation* | $50,000 |
| This Generation Connect | $2,500 |
| TransYouniting | $2,500 |
| Tree of Life Open Bible Church | $2,500 |
| Triumph Church | $1,500 |
| Unity Baptist Church Food Bank | $1,500 |
| Valley View Presbyterian Church | $2,500 |
| Veteran’s Place of Washington Blvd. | $4,000 |
| Vintage Senior Center | $7,500 |
| Westmoreland Community Action | $5,000 |
| Westmoreland Food Bank* | $100,000 |
| United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania | $15,000 |
* = food banks.