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Western Pennsylvania has a strong tradition of neighborhood, personal and community commitment. Our pride in pulling together goes far beyond supporting our deep-rooted sports teams. 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference honors the individuals that are making a difference in people's lives on the ground level and reminding us we are all truly a part of each other's lives.This special series, supported by UPMC, will highlight, honor and celebrate Western Pennsylvanians who are unsung heroes daring to make a difference to others in our community.00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770c8000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770ca000000000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cc000090.5 WESA PA listening area counties:Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Fayette, Indiana00000176-e6f7-dce8-adff-f6f770cd0000This project is made possible by a generous contribution from UPMC.

Deirdre Kane and Dora Walmsley, Creating a Community Through Food

Debbi Casini Klein
/
90.5 WESA

Read and listen to a story about Deirdre Kane and Dora Walmsley as part of a series honoring the individuals who make a difference in people’s lives: 90.5 WESA Celebrates People Making a Difference.

Deirdre Kane lived in Galway, where big grocery stores were scarce.

It was quite a contrast when she moved back to Lawrenceville, and she realized that she was living in a food desert — a neighborhood without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.

Dora Walmsley, who works at the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, moved to Lawrenceville eight years ago and felt the same frustration.

Five years ago, when both women met while volunteering at the Lawrenceville Community Gardens, they decided to team up to open a neighborhood market with fresh healthy food. They found an old abandoned building on 52nd street, and working around the clock after their day jobs, they opened the 52nd Street Market in March of this year.