Donations and volunteers are needed for a food relief program designed to help Quaker Valley area families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sewickley Valley YMCA launched the Quaker Valley Food Relief Fund in the spring with help from Sewickley’s Main Street Meals.

At about the same time, Leetsdale VFW Post 3372 Cmdr. Tom James said borough residents were looking for ways to help out struggling neighbors.

“The pandemic was under full swing and the store shelves were being decimated,” James said. “They could only give us so much food.”

The Post has since partnered with the YMCA to be a hub for volunteers packing and delivering food every other Saturday morning to about 60 to 65 area families.

“Just a little spark makes a fire,” James said. “It’s a good fire. The YMCA’s coordinating it. We have a pretty good crew. The same people show up.”

The Y is preparing for another distribution on Dec. 3, as well as one closer to Christmas.

“There are lots of folks here who are working hard to get by, and that’s a lot of the folks we’re trying to reach and help,” said Sewickley Valley YMCA CEO Trish Hooper. “Everyone’s working real hard to meet this need.”

Donations of canned goods, pasta, sauces and other non-perishable items are needed.

They can be dropped off at the YMCA at 625 Blackburn Road in Sewickley.

People also can make monetary donations via the YMCA’s website, sewickleyymca.org.

There is a “Donate” tab to the right of the main page.

Money is used to purchase meats, eggs, milk and other dairy products.

People can make additional donations the day of distribution at the VFW, 515 Beaver St. in Leetsdale.

No income verification is required to participate. It is a delivery program, meaning families can sign up through the YMCA and have meals sent to their home.

“Covid has hit a lot of people and changed the finances for a lot of families,” Hooper said. “We’re happy to be able to step in and help fill the need. Not everybody has access to a vehicle, and we don’t want them to not have food because they don’t have a way to get to the food.”

People in need or wish to volunteer can contact Hooper at 412-741-9622, ext. 111, or email thooper@sewickleyymca.org.

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