“The winter and early spring are when we see some of the
highest need for food, as many workers with outdoor jobs are
laid off,” explained Molly Patterson, Operations Coordinator at
SHIM. She noted that December brought 36 first-time families
to SHIM’s food pantries, and 110 individuals. “More than half of
SHIM’s households have at least one member who is employed.
And more than half are families with children.”
That’s why SHIM kicked off its annual “Sack Hunger, Pack
Hope” campaign in February, to help raise funds for its food
pantry operations throughout the year and collect food to round
out the winter season and get a jump on spring food pantry days.
The campaign serves to raise awareness, dollars and much-
needed food for local families in need to support SHIM’s three
food pantries located in Bethel Park, Baldwin and at its Prospect
Park Family Center in Whitehall. Last year’s record-shattering
effort saw community groups, congregations, troops, schools
and workplaces coming together to make sure no neighbors go
hungry.
“Sack Hunger is the quintessential example of neighbors
helping neighbors,” says Guffey. “When we all come together,
there’s nothing we can’t do together.”
Based on community response in 2016, the goals for 2017 are
ambitious. SHIM hopes to raise $100,000 and collect 36,000
pounds of food. Thanks to Casey Family Foundation matching
funds, cash donations will be doubled.
“The food the community brings in during drives is fantastic,”
Guffey notes. “But the added dollars are critical since we can
leverage the buying power of the Greater Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank which, in most cases, has five times the impact.”
The community is encouraged to get involved now through the
end of April by hosting a drive, making a monetary gift to SHIM’s
food pantry operations, and spreading the word by posting on
social media, hanging up posters throughout the community and
telling friends and family.
To learn more about how to get involved, visit
shimcares.org/sackhunger or contact Seth Dubin at
[email protected]. ■
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