Westmoreland Food Bank receives grant to help stock shelves as demand increases

The Westmoreland County Food Bank this week received a $75,000 emergency grant to help feed hungry residents.

The money from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County is needed to assist the food bank as uncertainty over federal SNAP benefits funding continues amid the federal shutdown, according to Executive Director McCrae Martino.

Food banks are expected to see increased need in the coming days and weeks, officials said.

Jennifer Miller, executive director of the Westmoreland County Food Bank in Delmont, said the grant will be used to purchase about two weeks of meals.

The food bank typically serves about 15,000 households each month.

That number is expected to significantly increase as the future of SNAP benefits remains in limbo. More than 46,000 Westmoreland County residents receive SNAP benefits, Miller said.

“We’ve seen a lot of donations from the community and our local philanthropists have stepped up. We’re grateful for the support,” Miller said.

Over the last four days, the food bank has received more than 300 referrals from local food pantries. It previously averaged 158 referrals each month, Miller said.

Martino said the Community Foundation grant is just a start. She said additional donations are being solicited.

“While we know this won’t help close the gap, this emergency grant will give them more money available to purchase food,” Martino said, noting Community Foundation grants typically range between $10,000 and $20,000.

Meanwhile, the effort to support county residents in need is expanding.

Public Safety Director Roland “Bud” Mertz said the county will convene a committee that includes local government agencies and nonprofits to meet regularly to address ongoing food needs in the county. It will be modeled after the county’s response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Agencies such as the county’s public safety department, human services and outside organizations such as the food bank, Catholic Charities, Westmoreland County Community Action and the United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania will be invited to participate in the effort.

“We want to bring all of our social services together, help with food and funding donations and volunteers, and coordinate public messaging,” Mertz said.