Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Your $5,000 could benefit the families of Pittsburgh greatly. Every food bank and organization is great, no question. This money is about the region and families it goes to and the suburbs of Pittsburgh (i.e. Duquesne, McKeesport, Braddock, etc.) could use the extra help. Regardless of where it goes, thanks for giving it.

For the past three years, I have organized and ran a fundraiser for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank called Frisbee for Food. The event is a casual frisbee tournament with a $5 entry fee, and about 200 high school kids attend each year. The event has raised about $1500 each year, and it is an amazing time. Students at my high school really respect the food bank, and everybody is willing to donate what they can and make a fun day out of helping charity. I've also gleaned with the food bank, which is such a fun way for people to volunteer. I spent the day bonding with caring people from the Pittsburgh Community and it not only made me feel like I was really helping, but it also gave me a connection to the Food Bank that I can't say I have with any other non-profit that I have donated to or volunteered for.

I donate to the food bank on a regular basis and attend some of their fundraising events. They seem to be one of the best run non-profits in the area. I am amazed at all the things they do, from providing legislative updates to bringing fresh food into areas that do not have access. Their fundraising events are also fun, along with being worthwhile.

I volunteer on an annual basis with my company (Hefren-Tillotson) and it is always a great experience. They do a great job there of getting us coordinated, keeping us motivated, and spending time to talk to us and answer questions about how great the need is and how important our time is to them. I look forward to increasing my time with the Food Bank in the future.

I have volunteered at the GPCFB with their Produce to People program and it is always a very rewarding experience. The staff is so kind and obviously cares deeply about their work. The people that are served are grateful and humble. It could not be a better volunteer experience.

I have volunteered in several different ways with the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, but my favorite event is "Empty Bowls". My friend and I have been attending for 5 years now, and we look forward to them every year. It is so well organized and always has a large turnout. We take our time picking out our ceramic bowl; last year I was able to snag a popular footed bowl. We carefully choose our soup line to be sure we get to taste our favorites. The servers are usually TV personalities and they pleasantly ladle out the soup. There is entertainment and raffles. For several years there was a terrific balloon sculptor, and we each choose our favorite design. I would recommend this event to everyone.

GPCFB is extremely well run and has addressed the needs of those underserved with dignity and creativity .... i especially like Empty Bowls event that focuses on hunger, raises $$ and awareness and has become a harbinger of spring ..... could be a metaphor perhaps

For several years, our Highmark sales team has volunteered to pack food as an annual team building exercise. (Packing frozen pierogies was my favorite exercise!) It's hard work, and at the end of the day we were exhausted. What was disturbing was learning that the sources of food supplies have steadily diminished over the years. Seeing shelves that were partially empty was a frightening sight, especially in this economic climate. While more and more people rely on the food bank, less and less is available for them. It's a sad comment for the richest country in the world.

I have been associated with the Foodbank for over 20 years as Advisor, Board member and past President. I first joined the Board to represent the company I worked for but after I retired I elected to remain on the board because I believe in the Foodbank mission so strongly. In my opinion no nonprofit is better run or more committed to their mission

While I was living in Pittsburgh, I started a food pantry associated with the Greated Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in a public housing community. The staff went above and beyond to offer services to the community and volunteers. Outreach workers met with chairmen of local pantries to disseminate and gather information to improve and expand services for needy individuals and families. Order takers were always helpful and courteous. Truck drivers who delivered the food always went out of their way to be helpful and streamline our services, especially given the severe winters. I can not say enough about the professionalism and compassion provided by this Food Bank. It was an honor to be affiliated with them during my tenure with the local food pantry.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank does absolutely wonderful work. Through a volunteer experience we had the opportunity to give to this organization and I just wanted to share what wonderful work they do and how proud we are to have them as part of the community.

I volunteer with our company, Hefren-Tillotson, Inc., as well as once a month with our church, Walnut Grove Assembly of God in West Mifflin PA. Without the local chapter, our church would not be able to help 200 families every two weeks with groceries. Unfortunately, the need is there and these folks at the Greater Pittsburgh food bank are so helpful and supportive and have so many programs to help those who have nothing try to get on their own feet as well as help them keep their dignity while receiving free food.

As a donor for many years, my husband and I could not be more proud of the work of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which is truly a lifeline to many families, who need a hand up, rather than a handout. Never content with the status quo, this organization is always coming up with new ways to raise funds and involve the community in helping others. It has a firstrate reputation and we are dedicated to its support.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is a lifeline in the Pittsburgh community for the many families who rely on its services. I have participated in many programs over the years from food drives to gleaning and have always been impressed by the caring and committed staff. I have been so impressed by the resourcefulness of the programming in repurposing food to avoid waste and improve the diets of people that rely on the local food pantries.

My girl scout troop has worked on preparing packages for families in need at the Pittsburgh Food Bank.

It is amazing how organized the Food Bank is and how much effort goes into getting area families what they need. The volunteers that were leading our crew were so professional and it was so evident how devoted to the cause they were.

As important as it was to get the several hundred boxes packed safety was important and everyone worked together as a team to get the job done.

It was a pleasure to volunteer at the Food Bank.

The Bible tells us to feed the hungry. While we cannot often feed the hungry directly, through the Food Bank, we can participate in the work that God told us to do.

We have supported the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for years - they are well known in the region for doing a wonderful job supplying food to so many communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania, a regions which has had its financial struggles, especially in some of the inner city and rural areas.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is my "charity" of choice. There are many organizations asking for assistance in this great time of need but I feel the impact that the GPCFB has on the local community is unparalleled.
As a volunteer for one of the many local food banks the GPCFB supplies I experience firsthand the many benefits this organization extends to the many needy families in the Pittsburgh region.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food bank is a wonderful organization.
I had a friend who at one time was in dire need of help as she was a single mother. If it wasn't for the food bank she and her daughter would have starved at times. They truly helped her through bad times.

I have supported the Food Bank for many years, because I know of the vital supplies it sends to many small food pantries around SW PA, like the East End Cooperative Ministries near where I live. I have visited the Duquesne facility and think it is outstanding in design and cleanliness.
I like the way the Food Bank does fund raisers which attract a wide rvariety of people. It also does education about why people are unable to meet their bills. The only thing better would be if there were more good paying jobs.

Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank is well organized group with volunteer opportunites communicated well and made easy to participate. I have brought my children to volunteer and learn to help others. My daughter's school was happy to become involved with a day of volunteering for students, parents, and faculty. It is a wonderful place to help out the community.

The food bank has helped so many people over the years. They are always looking for new ways to help their clients. I give to the food bank on a regular basis and will continue to do so.

The Pittsburgh Food Bank is an amazing organization that assists many needy individuals in the city. I have enjoyed supporting the Food Bank throughout college, law school, and into my career as an attorney. I personally know that simple donations go a long way at the Pittsburgh Food Bank. When I was a child, my family relied on such donations to make it from week to week. My father was disabled and the food bank was our primary source of food. With the support of the food bank, my family was able to get back on their feet and thrive. Now, that I am able to donate, I will do so knowing that each donation goes so very far.

We donate regularly to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This food bank supports our whole area and provides food to individuals and to food pantries. By donating to the food bank we know that our money is being used effectively to help people in need in throughout our community. Giving money to the food bank is much more effective than giving money to individuals. When you give to the food bank you know the money will not be wasted on alcohol or other non-essentials. This is the best way to help people in need of food.

I recently entered a master's program in nonprofit management. For one of my assignments, I interviewed the COO of the GPCFB and I was really impressed with how well-run the organization is. As a longtime supporter, I knew beforehand about all the great programs and community partnerships that they have, but it was very enlightening to have a glimpse inside the organization and see how committed the people who work there are to insuring that no one in our region has to go hungry. I greatly appreciate how GPCFB connects the community to care for one another.

I support the Greater Pgh. Community Food Bank whenever I can because I know that my donation is being used in an efficient manor. The Foodbank management does its utmost to maximize resources and conduct creative fund-raising. They work with many community partners and local businesses to keep the bank stocked at all times. This foodbank feeds thousands every day and is a life-line to working families, single parents, and the elderly. It is a great example for other foodbanks in the area as well.

This has been our third year in a row volunteering through our company (Hefren-Tillotson). It has been both a rewarding and humbling experience - the Food Bank does an excellent job in both encouraging and facilitating those that want to volunteer.

The coordination of the volunteering is excellent and the facilities are impeccable. We all had a great time and look forward to coming back!

My daughter and I have volunteered at the foodbank hub in Duquesne. The people working there are friendly, knowledgeable and extremely dedicated and passionate about their mission. We packed up boxes of food to distribute to senior citizen communities, and it was done very efficiently in a space that was clean. I was very impressed how many people they benefit and with how successful they are at garnering donations of food and money. They are effective at inspiring people to donate time, money and food.

I volunteer at festivals, food distribution sites in the community, seeing how many people are able to truly be helped by the Pgh Foodbank is inspiring! the company I work for PNC BANK is very proactive encouraging employees to volunteer to make a difference. Very grateful to have such a wonderful staff to work with at th efoodbank too.

I participated in a cereal packing day at the GP Food Bank and was so impressed with this organization. The place was spotless and the people running the day were so organized and disciplined. The program for the children was wonderful and my kids learned a lot about hunger. I was especially impressed with the educational literature that was available to families in need showing ways to stretch your grocery dollars. They also provided recipes with inexpensive ingredients but still highly nutritious. I can't say enough good things about this organization.

I have had the good fortune to volunteer at the Food Bank, sponsored by Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. The staffers have a nearly evangelistic fervor for their mission. Clearly, this is a labor of love for those who work long and hard to see that their neighbors are fed. The staff is well-organized, knowledgeable and gracious. Teams of volunteers become competitive to see who can load the most food in the least time. It's exhausting and exhilarating work. At the end of the day, you know that there are families that won't go hungry because of what was accomplished. My 'final arrangements' will direct donations to the Food Bank in lieu of flowers, so it's an organization I wholeheartedly endorse.

I am grateful that I have a job and can feed myself and feel the need to help those who have lost their jobs and do not have the money to buy food for themselves.
By supporting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, I know that I am contributing towards a fundamental necessity of those most in need. Food is a basic necessity and that need crosses lines of neighborhood, religion, race, political affiliation, etc.
I believe that my contribution here is more than just food -- it is a contribution towards the health of others.

My company (Hefren-Tillotson) participated in a cereal-packing day at the Food Bank in January 2011. The Food Bank employees organized such an efficient assembly line of people, and the place was spotless. The employees there are very good at what they do and are extremely knowledgable and passionate about the Food Bank's mission and goals. I was very impressed.

I support the GP Community Food Bank because I believe that it is one of the best, most important ways that we can care for the needy in our area. It offers concrete, personal evidence to its recipients that there are people who DO care about them and want to help their lives to be better. In a political culture where it sadly seems to be acceptable to allow families that can't provide adequately for themselves to suffer, this food bank is a generous, honest, source of terribly needed support. No child should have to go to bed hungry; no adult should have to look for work on an empty stomach.

I like that the Food Bank has found so many ways to increase the funding it uses so well. (Although, it would be nice if we as a community would be more attuned to the needs of the poor without all the enticements!)

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is one of the agencies I contribute to every year. The good they do in the Community can not be measured. it is a well run organization which uses its funding to help supply food to those who need it in the community

Food is a basic necessity and that need crosses lines of neighborhood, religion, race, political affiliation, etc. By supporting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank every month, I know that I am contributing towards a fundamental necessity of those most in need. I believe that my contribution here is more than just food -- it is a contribution towards education, health, dignity, and peace.

This organization actively seeks high level community engagement and keeps its results visible before its donor base. I have only heard very positive comments about how it treats recipients, volunteers, and donors.

I've had the pleasure of volunteering for the Pittsburgh Food Bank's annual fall food drive a few times. What I love about it is that my family and I can do it together. I knew even as a new parent that I wanted my boys to see they could make a positive impact in other people's lives right away, but the volunteer opportunities for young kids are few.
The fall food drive allowed us to choose the time, location and duration that fit our needs as a family and still play a big part in getting the food to people who need it.
More than once, and often with tears in their eyes, those who contributed food to our collection bin told stories of how the Pittsburgh Food Bank was there for them when they needed the help and now that they were on their feet again they loved to contribute to the collection.
Hunger and the need for healthy food are something that everyone can relate to, even young children, so it was nice to have an opportunity to give what we could and see the benefit firsthand.

I have know about the food back for years. With the turn down in the economy, I decided to look for a local charity that was responding to the growing need. I did not have to look far. I have been continuting since then on a regular basis.

I have been a contributor to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food bank for several years now. I am incredibly impressed with the low overhead costs -- only 6% of the donations go to administration and fund raising, leaving 94% for programs and services.

I first became familar with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank from attending the Pittsburgh Blues Festival many years ago. The proceeds of the festival benefit the food bank. Since the festival has moved to Hartwood Acres several years ago, they have a great event on Friday evening called "Free Fridays" where admission is free if you bring food donations. They literally need tractor trailers to haul away the amount of food danations they get from this event alone.

Thruout the year the GOCFB sponsors many other events to collect food for those in need, such as the upcoming "Empty Bowls" event, where bowls are donated to them and donors buy the bowls and have a simple dinner of soup and bread. All the proceeds go to the food bank.

The food bank is also proactive thru mailings, emails and an excellent newsletter. They are by far the best non-profit I've ever seen where it regards raising donations thru awareness.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is always at the top of my list dollar-wise when it comes to making donations. Thay truly make a huge difference for those in need.

I have volunteered at a number of the Glean events--it was a lot of fun getting out on a farm and harvesting food from the source! I enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and see parts of PA I would not have ever ventured to see on my own.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank does an excellent job serving its target population, and has done so without fail for many, many years. That we have hungry people in this rich country is a travesty, and more of our fortunate citizens should help to correct this injustice.

i had the opportunity to volunteer at the Food Bank several years ago and I could not believe what a wonderful place it is. The facility is huge, and the people who work there are so caring and giving. I wish I had more free time so I could spend more time helping out.

The Pittsburgh Food bank is an amazing organization. It's been my pleasure to volunteer there. I feel that their regular time employees really make all the difference.

I have been a donor to the GPCFB, as well as a volunteer on several occasions. I was introduced to the organization through a United Way Day of Caring opportunity, and "fell in love." These folks provide such a wonderful service to our community. After my introduction, I have tried to introduce many more people to the organization, including Girl Scout Troop 51018, which sold cookies for the benefit of GPCFB and had the opportunity to visit the facility and learn about all of the wonderful programs provided by it.

As a board member of an organization that has members donate food, money and volunteer time, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank does an extremely good job at coordinating their large operations. The many individual food banks served by GPCFB have provided many compliments to the distribution system. I also receive GPCFB mailings, which provide volunteering opportunities and, of course, solicit donations. Their communications are professional and unpretentious.

I have volunteered at this foodbank before and had so much fun. The people who work there are all very nice and hepful. You can tell that they love their jobs and only wish to help others

I have worked with different Food Bank staff to coordinate volunteer events for college students that I work with, and have invited speakers from the Food Bank to our campus. The staff at the Food Bank are great to work with--everyone is very friendly, professional, and dedicated to what they do. I am amazed at how efficiently the repack center and all of the Food Bank's operations work. My students and colleagues and I have always had positive experiences volunteering at GPCFB, and I hope to continue to get more students involved in working with them.

I have volunteered with the food bank several times over the last few years and attended many different benefits. I am always impressed with how well run their entire organization is. The team is always friendly, organized, and prepared for whatever is going to happen next. My interactions with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank have always been a pleasant experience!

As a past recruiter of nonprofit internships, I worked with several staff members at the Food Bank in developing position descriptions, outlining expectations and maintaining our partnership. Not only were these staff members some of the most professional and hard-working individuals I have met, but they all shared a deep passion for their mission. Furthermore, the young people we placed at the Food Bank were generously supported throughout their experience. In my opinion, the GPCFB is one of the most effective non-profits in our region.

I met with Anne Hawkins, the Chief Development Director and Maureen Joyce, the Development Web Administrator to get their profile up here on the GNP website. The first thing that struck me was the size of the building. It shouldn't have been surprising, considering the large volume of goods they handle. Through the meeting, I was impressed with the degree of information they had memorized about the organization and its metrics. The level of professionalism, quality and expertise I saw at this organization was very high.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is one of the most impressively run organizations that I have had experience with. They have a commitment to providing a necissary service to those in need of food assistance in Southwestern Pennsylvania and is striving to help meet the goal set by the State of Pennsylvania to erraticate hunger or "cronic undernurishment" by 2020 by expanding their service and operating at efficiency.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is an exceptionally run organization. The staff are helpful, friendly, and extremely dedicated to their work, and it is by far one of the most efficiently run food banks I have ever visited. In addition to their warehousing and distribution work, they has several innovative and effective nutrition education and urban agriculture programs. I'm involved with their Farm Stand Project, which brings fresh local produce into low-income communities otherwise lacking access. Going beyond traditional food distribution, the farm stands are one example of the commitment the GPCFB has made to promoting community food security, public health, and a sustainable food system.

From my time at the Food Bank, I was incredibly impressed with the size and scope of their programs, from volunteer involvement to the amount of food they give away each year. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting, and staff were gracious and knowledgeable.