In recent weeks, lines in excess of a mile long have formed by people lining up at food distribution points across Western Pennsylvania.
In this week’s Food Podcast presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union, Brian Gulish discusses the multiple ways those in need of food assistance can get it.
“Most people who are utilizing our services are doing so for the first time,” said Gulish, vice president of marketing and communications for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “Waiting in long lines for hours is not the only way people can get food assistance.”
More than 70 percent of people who have visited the food bank’s website over the past month are first-time visitors. In March and April, the food bank has spent more than $1.7 million on food purchases, compared to $550,000 during a normal 2-month average.
“We have a pantry network of more than 350 agencies, 90 percent which are open and operating in the 11 counties we serve in southwestern Pennsylvania. More than 80 percent of the food we distribute goes out through that network,” Gulish said.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is another program available to those in need.
“We’ve assisted 222 people in registering for SNAP in the past four weeks,” Gulish said.
Joining Gulish on the podcast is Capt. David Boyles, public affairs officer for the Pennsylvania National Guard Task Force West.
For more information on how you can get food assistance, visit www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/gethelp or call 412-460-3663.
