United Way volunteers will pack meal kits for local families
Who: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania staff and volunteers; United Way President & CEO Bobbi Watt Geer, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Linda Jones, Chief Program and Policy Officer Sally Ellwein, Chief Strategy Officer Neil DiBiase and Senior Director of Regional Engagement Wendy Koch.
What: Sept. 9 to 11, United Way will hold its second Meal Kit Packing event of the year at David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This event is in response to increasing food insecurity in southwestern Pennsylvania. Community and corporate volunteers will pack 1,750 meal kits for distribution to families across the 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. This Meal Kit Packing event is made possible with in-kind support from Giant Eagle.
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. Recent economic uncertainty and back-to-school-related costs are putting additional strains on families. 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.
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. During its most recent Community Food Solutions grant cycle, United Way increased the maximum individual grant award amount from $5,000 to $7,500 and awarded a total of $48,500 to seven local organizations.
When: Media are invited to attend on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D. 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Enter through the West Lobby, off 10th Street.