United Way volunteers to pack 1,750 meal kits for local families
Who: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania staff and volunteers; Bobbi Watt Geer, Ph.D., president & CEO, Sally Ellwein, chief program and policy officer and Wendy Koch, senior director of regional engagement, United Way.
When: Media are invited to attend on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, between 5 and 7 p.m.
What: On June 3 to 5, United Way will hold its annual signature meal kit packing event at Acrisure Stadium. Meal Kit Packing is funded by Bayer and The Pittsburgh Steelers and with in-kind support from Giant Eagle. Community and corporate volunteers will pack 1,750 meal kits for distribution to families across our region. Each meal kit includes all the ingredients needed to make two nutritious breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners for a family of four and recipe cards with instructions.
Why: Data from United Way’s PA 211 Southwest helpline indicates that food insecurity continues to be among the top four needs in the region. In the past 12 months, more than 7,200 contacts to PA 211 Southwest from across United Way’s five-county service region were related to food assistance. In Allegheny County, one in nine people live with hunger and one in six children may not have enough food, according to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Meanwhile, food costs are also expected to continue to increase. The annual meal kit packing event highlights United Way’s focus on food security and meeting basic needs while helping families in our region have what they need to fulfill their potential.
In addition to organizing high-impact volunteer events, United Way invests $8.4 million annually in programs that help local people meet their basic needs, including food access. United Way also awards grants to organizations and groups working to combat food insecurity in their neighborhoods through its Community Food Solutions program. Since 2023, United Way has awarded 51 grants totaling $236,620 to 49 organizations through Community Food Solutions.
Where: The Great Hall at Acrisure Stadium, 100 Art Rooney Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Enter through Gate B.