Oakmont Thanksgiving food drive underway for Rosedale Food Pantry

Food pantries like the one in Penn Hills’ Rosedale Methodist Church are preparing to serve more families than usual this holiday season.

“This is our busy time,” said John Dick, Rosedale Food Pantry director. “It will probably increase this month and through Christmas.”

The pantry helps an average of 170 families a week from Penn Hills, Verona, Oakmont, Plum and Blawnox.

There has been a spike in need due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Fortunately for the aforementioned communities, donations have been coming in from businesses and other groups to help meet the demand.

“The supply’s been kind of good,” said Dick. “People have been giving. Everything helps no matter what kind of food drive it is. It all helps this time of year.”

A food drive, organized by an Oakmont family the past four years to support Rosedale, just launched this month.

The Hummel family is accepting donations through Nov. 16 at their business, Rev 22 Juice & Wellness Bar powered by Salud Juicery. It is in the former Oakmont Bakery building along Allegheny Avenue.

The shop is owned by Larry Hummel, his daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Jordan Taradash.

The food drive is largely organized by Larry’s wife, Lori Hummel.

“The food drive is more important now than ever,” said Lori Hummel. “During the pandemic, there are more people that are not working, that are on unemployment, that were hoping for a stimulus check and didn’t get it. Hopefully we can make someone’s life a little bit better and not worry about feeding their children.”

Larry Hummel said there has been a lot of support since the drive stared on Nov. 1.

“It’s a community drive,” he said. “There’s a lot of people in need now. Especially with the stuff that’s going on. I can see from people coming down that they’re more willing to give. I think they know there are a lot of people around that have it a lot worse than we do, and they are trying to give something back.”

The most needed donations are flower, sugar and baking products.

“It is holiday time and people like to bake cookies with their children,” Lori Hummel said. “We’d love to be able to supply them with the essentials to do that.”

Other items requested include cereal, canned pumpkin, cereal, box stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, canned fruits and vegetables and other nonperishable goods.

People who donate to the cause can get a free drink at the juice bar.

“I think they’re doing something and we should give something back,” Larry Hummel said.

Rev 22 is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

More information about the food drive is available by calling 412-287-1739 or email lhummel@howardhanna.com.

Dick said his team at Rosedale had to make adjustments, like many places throughout the nation, with how they serve patrons due to the pandemic. Most volunteers and people picking up food wear masks. Fewer people are allowed in the church at one time to get food.

Pantry doors open at 4:30 p.m. the first through fourth Wednesdays of the month.

New families need to bring an ID or driver’s license and a bill with their current address to register.

More information about the food pantry is available at rosedalefoodpantry.org.