West
Hills Food Pantry
West
Hills Food Pantry
Serving the Community Since 1983
SERVICES and PROGRAMS
FOOD: We supply supplemental food on a weekly basis to local individuals and families in need who have met the eligibility requirements of income and residence. We are currently serving between 150 and 200 families weekly. We supply food that is purchased from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or is donated by local businesses, churches, schools, and individuals. We are a self sustaining, non-profit organization that is staffed by a 100% volunteer staff.
CHRISTMAS TOYS: Annually, we collect new toys, Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and adult gifts and present a "Christmas Store" to our clients. Each client is able to "shop" free of charge for gifts for their children and family members. The Toy Store has been a great hit over past years. In addition, due to donations from local churches and individuals we have been able to provide each of our clients with gift cards for Christmas shopping each year through the generosity of our community.
SPECIAL FOOD ITEMS: Food items that don't fit into our standard food categories, but are welcome donations, are accumulated over several weeks. They are then placed in a "mini store" where our clients can select items that are not normally available. This is always a week that people look forward to. In addition, we receive "little or not so little" surprises from the Foodbank on occasion. For example; last summer we received hundreds of unannounced watermelons that we were able to provide to our clients. We never quite know what may come in the door; but we appreciate it all and so do our clients
ANIMAL FOOD - we have teamed with Animal Friends to provide food for local cats and dogs in need through their Chow Wagon program. So far we have provided several thousand pounds of dog and cat food (and an occasional toy) to our client's furry friends so that they can remain at home rather than in a shelter. The program has been a great success.
CHRISTMAS PARTY - each year the food pantry hosts a Christmas party for all of our clients. This year there were close to 300 guests. This is always a fun event for the clients as well as the volunteers. There is good food, music, crafts and games for the kids, and even a visit from Santa Claus!! Our party is always well attended and all who come have a good time!
COOKOUT - this past year we had a summer mini cookout in the parking lot of the pantry. Hot Dogs, hamburgers and all the fixin's were served under a tent the day of food distribution. It was well received and we are talking about having a full fledged picnic in a local park with our clients this year.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - many of our volunteers have resources within the community that they call upon regularly to assist our clients with unique problems they may be facing.
BACKPACKS FOR KIDS - The goal of the program to to allow every child in need to walk into our schools with his/her head held high, ready for the first day of school. Backpacks and supplies (K-12) have been donated over the past 10 years through many community facets. Supplies are collected year round. Backpacks are "stuffed" in the summer by area high school and college students for each registered student at the food pantry. Over 200 backpacks were distributed in August of 2010! Donations are accepted year round and can be dropped off at the pantry during open hours or by contacting the pantry via email. Any groups (such as scouts, youth groups, businesses, churches, etc.) needing more information, please contact the food pantry.
SENIOR GIFT BAGS - area children obtain holiday gifts for your elderly clients and place them in hand decorated bags. Each of our senior citizens receives a special gift bag for Christmas containing items that are appreciated by our seniors.
EASTER TREAT BAGS - each Easter children receive treat bags and each family receives a $20.00 Giant Eagle gift card for their extra Easter shopping
THANKSGIVING - dinner bags are assembled and donated. Each contains the items required for a successful Thanksgiving meal. In addition, each family receives a $15.00 Turkey Gift Card supplied by the KDKA turkey giveaway.
CHRISTMAS DINNER BAGS - dinner bags are assembled and donated. Each contains the items required for a Christmas dinner. Each family also receives a $20.00 Giant Eagle gift card to help with extra holiday shopping.
ANNUAL COAT DRIVE - Gently used coats are collected and cleaned by Diane's Cleaners. Each and every person who is a client of the food pantry comes and picks out a coat that will meet their needs. This has been a very successful program for our pantry.