How to help food banks cope with increasing demand

Amid food banks and local pantries stepping up to fill the gap left by lack of SNAP benefits, here are ways to donate throughout the region.

Armstrong County Community Action Food Bank

Armstrong County Community Action Food Bank accepts monetary and food donations.

Due to the food bank’s affiliation with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, the bank can purchase food at steep discounts. According to the food bank’s website, $10 in donations can purchase nearly eight times that amount can buy at a local grocery store.

While the food bank picks up extra food that is donated from local grocery stores in the Kittanning area, community members are also welcome to donate food. Donated goods must be within the expiration date, and unopened.

Donations are only accepted during the agency’s business hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at 705 Butler Road in Kittanning. People are asked to call ahead before coming to drop off any donations at 724-548-3208.

According to Crystal Long, the group’s family service department manager, the food bank can accept any type of donation. In addition to food, people often ask for household items such as laundry detergent, dish soap and paper towels, she said.

Monetary donations can be made at armstrongcap.com and checks can be made payable to Armstrong County Community Action Agency C/O Food Bank and mailed to 326 S. Water St., Suite 1, Kittanning, Pa. 16201.

The Community Action Food Bank also helps to supply a system of 16 food pantries throughout Armstrong County.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

According to Brian Gulish, vice president of marketing and communications for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, people are able to donate, money, food and hygiene products.

“We can stretch the dollar further than a general donor of consumer can with food,” Gulish said. “For every dollar we raise, we can provide enough food for up to three meals.”

While monetary donations go the furthest, the food bank accepts most donations including perishable and non-perishable foods, household items, pet food and hygiene products. Gulish said the food bank has always accepted hygiene items and toiletries since some are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Donations can be brought to the food bank’s Duquesne location, 1 North Linden Street, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. While the food bank works with multiple sites throughout the region, Gulish said it’s best for donations to be dropped off at the Duquesne location to be sent out for distribution since all donations need to be checked.

“Once that food is in intake here at the food bank, we have to sort through all of the food for product safety,” he said.

For more information, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org.

Westmoreland County Food Bank

The Westmoreland County Food Bank accepts monetary and food donations.

Monetary donations can be online at westmorelandfoodbank.org. People can make one-time or monthly donations.

Non-perishable food donations are accepted. Goods must be within the expiration date, unopened, have their original manufacturer’s label and be free of any obvious defect such as popped tops, mold or rust. According to the food bank’s website, the most needed items include canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter and canned and boxed meals.

The food bank accepts certain perishable foods, but asks that people call ahead to be sure the items can be accepted.

Donations are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Delmont location, 100 Devonshire Drive. For closer donations, people can visit the food bank’s website for different drop off locations. For large collections, call 724-468-8660 ext. 31 to arrange a pick-up.

The Lighthouse Foundation

The Lighthouse Foundation serves families in northern Allegheny and Butler counties.

According to the group’s website, monetary and food donations are accepted. Donation drop offs can be made Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the organization’s location at 116 Browns Hill Road, Valencia.

Monetary donations can be made at thelighthousepa.org and checks can be made payable to The Lighthouse Foundation and mailed to The Lighthouse Foundation P.O. Box 366 Bakerstown, Pa. 15007. For more information, call 724-586-5554.