South Hills Interfaith Movement
Learn more at SHIM – South Hills Interfaith Movement
2024
Falk Facilities and Technology Improvement Fund:
South Hills Faith Ministries (SHIM) is a community-based organization dedicated to serving individuals and families in need throughout Pittsburgh’s South Hills. Rooted in compassion and faith, the ministry provides essential resources such as food, clothing and supportive services to neighbors facing hardship. In August 2024, SHIM’s three food pantries experienced a historic surge in demand, serving 4,143 individuals across 1,185 households.
This grant will fund the installation of 24/7 food lockers at SHIM, to address the stigma often associated with accessing social services for basic needs. The lockers will provide community members with convenient, around-the-clock access to free and fresh food so they can pick up what they need privately, on their own schedule and with dignity. By offering flexibility and anonymity, the program expands access to healthy food so that more individuals and families can meet their basic needs without hesitation or fear of judgment.
2024
Welcome Back Summer:
South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) offers a range of programs that empower children at every stage, including an early childhood program, after-school program, youth mentoring and summer camp. Many children participate in multiple programs over the course of their development and benefit from consistent support and enrichment.
This grant helps fund SHIM’s summer camp, which is designed to support k-12 children from refugee families in the greater Pittsburgh region. The program addresses key challenges such as economic, academic and cultural barriers, while providing a safe and enriching environment where participants can learn, grow and build confidence over the summer months.
2023
Welcome Back Summer:
South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) provides a continuum of youth programming designed to empower children through every stage of development. Offerings include early childhood, after-school, youth mentoring and summer camp programs, which many children participate in over multiple years. SHIM’s Summer Camp delivers enriching, educational experiences that help prevent summer learning loss and especially supports refugee and immigrant children from low-income families.
This grant supports SHIM’s summer camp, which addresses the unique challenges faced by refugee children in the South Hills — the area with the highest concentration of refugees in greater Pittsburgh. Funding supports camp counselors, engaging field trips, nutritious snacks and kindergarten readiness activities that build a strong foundation for learning. To celebrate the campers’ hard work and foster lasting connections, the summer concludes with a group outing to an escape room and hibachi restaurant.