Steelers stars distribute holiday meals to area families

Thanksgiving is over a week away but Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward and center Maurkice Pouncey are distributing holiday meals to area families in need this week.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a total of 400 families will receive holiday meals through a partnership between the Steelers and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Two separate drive-up events are serving families in the Hill District, the North Side and surrounding communities. The 400 families receiving the meals were invited and screened for eligibility, according to the Food Bank.

Covid-19 regulations are preventing Heyward and Pouncey from being at the events in person, but they will be there in spirit.

“I wanted to make sure you had a great Thanksgiving by continuing to provide your family with a dinner for the holiday,” said Heyward in a video message. “Thank you to all the volunteers at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for making this event possible. I look forward to being with all of you next year.”

Since founding the Heyward House in 2015, Heyward has been involved in helping the Pittsburgh community. This is his fourth year working with the Food Bank.

Pouncey has been supplying Pittsburgh families with holiday meals for the past eight years. Since the start of his partnership with the Food Bank, Pouncey has provided the community with 1,600 turkey dinners.

“I’m sorry that the pandemic couldn’t put us face to face but I really hope that you enjoy this meal,” said Pouncey in a video message. “From my heart to yours, take care.”

On Thursday, members of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional soccer team and EPIC Insurance Brokers will deliver Thanksgiving meals to the homes of more than 100 families in McKees Rocks and surrounding communities.