Food distribution scheduled at Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer

A drive-up food distribution will be held Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is holding the event in partnership with the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches from 5 to 7 p.m.

Almost 500 households received food at the first distribution in July, said Karen Snair, executive director of the church association.

“Last month was very successful,” she said. “I’m anticipating that this month will be as well.”

The association works with the food bank on its monthly Produce to People food distribution.

“We haven’t been doing that because of covid. They haven’t found a safe way to do that yet. This is taking the place of that for now,” Snair said. “We’re hoping it helps replace some of the food folks have lost from the cancellations of Produce to People.”

Snair said it’s not known when Produce to People will resume.

The distribution on Tuesday will be held in the mall’s parking lot between Dick’s Sporting Goods and the former Cinemark theater, according to the township.

There is no need for people to arrive early or line up, food bank spokeswoman Melissa Murray said.

Those coming are asked not to get out of their cars except to use the outdoor restroom facilities. Food will be loaded into back seats or trunks.

The event will serve up to 600 cars. Reservations are being taken online, but are not required, Murray said. People can come to the distribution and provide the required information on-site.

“Earlier during the pandemic we were not checking any information,” she said. “The government is requiring us to do that now.”

There are no income limits or requirements. “Anyone who is in need of food can receive that help,” Murray said.

Each registrant will get at least 50 pounds of food, or up to 75 pounds when frozen food and produce is included. Murray said the distribution will include boxes of dry food such as pasta, peanut butter, cereal and other shelf-stable items, plus fresh produce and frozen meat, such as chicken and fish.

Murray said there will be no exceptions made to a policy of one share of food per reservation. For those in one car to get more than one share, they must be from more than one family or household and each complete separate reservations.

Those who know someone in need of food who can’t get to the distribution can receive food on their behalf, Murray said.

For more information, call the food bank at 412-460-3663 or visit its website.