The holiday season is always a busy time for food banks and food pantries as they try to provide the basics-and a few extras-for those in need.
With the recent reduction in the allocation of federal food stamps, many low-income people have fewer resources to put food on the table this holiday season.
As a consequence, there has been a surge in demand at local food banks and food pantries.
Last week, the Pittsburgh Foundation launched a major community-wide appeal to help food banks in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. Grant Oliphant, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Foundation discusses this year’s match fund plan.
“Well you know it’s interesting because I think there’s a tale of two Americas going on that plays out here as a tale of two cities or a tale of two counties. And what that looks like is that we’re enjoying an economic recovery that some people are feeling the benefits of, and others aren’t. In Pittsburgh we’re also seeing the benefits of an economic renewal that I think a lot of us are extremely proud of, and are very excited about for the future, but we’re also seeing a significant portion of the population being left behind.”
According to Oliphant the simplest way to help the Pittsburgh Foundation and local people in need is to contribute at pittsburghgives.org
