Creating food equity through action in the Triboro Ecodistrict
The Triboro Ecodistrict has had its fair share of challenges in its mission to increase sustainable community development; with six shared lenses of promoting equity, food, water, energy, air quality, and mobility, the initiative has made significant strides improving Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg’s quality of life.
But the COVID-19 crisis has brought new, and amplified existing, difficulties for the three boroughs, the foremost of each being access to food. Therefore, these communities are leveraging years of collaboration to create equity through action.
When Pennsylvania’s first shelter-at-home order was put into place by Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on March 23, seven counties, including Allegheny, were forced to close nonessential businesses. All 67 counties were under the order by April 1.
In the last five weeks, 1.5 million Pennsylvanians have filed for unemployment.
Physical distancing is the only proven way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and “decrease the anticipated spike,” which would overwhelm hospitals and significantly weaken healthcare workers ability to provide adequate medical care to individuals, according to the American Medical Association.
Sheltering at home is saving lives, but an afflictive side effect for nonessential workers is that most are not receiving steady income.
“A lot of people will say to me, ‘My neighbor just lost their job,’ and I tell them to come up to the food bank. They don’t need to be registered with us right now. Just come in and we will feed you, that’s what we’re here for,” said Alexis Weber, Pantry Manager at Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna.
Weber said during a regular month the food pantry will serve 105 families. During April they served 134 including 37 new families. In an effort to reduce exposure, grocery items are prepackaged and brought out to the car. Each box is assembled with the intention to create a well rounded selection for families including canned food but also fresh fruits, eggs, meats and cheeses.
The Boys & Girls Club in Millvale has been catering to a younger audience and has a bit of a different set up for individuals, but Youth Development Coordinator Kate Davis said it is working out well.
Seven days a week from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the Boys & Girls Club has a share table setup with groceries and other items that anyone in need can take, and breakfast and lunch grab bags are available for any child under 18.
“Shaler [Area School District] has been bringing 125 meals a day and all of them are being taken,” Davis said. ‘These lunch ladies [making these meals] don’t get credit because they’re not in the public eye, but they are amazing.”
The Boys & Girls Club have received donations for local businesses regularly in the past, and some have been able to give more in recent weeks, like Sprezzatura, Jean-Marc’s Bakery, and 412 Food Rescue. Davis said those donations are added to the share table or the kids meal bags.
“Businesses have been reaching out every few days to check in,” Davis said. “Millvale is a very strong community, and you notice that from all of the floods and how it just seems to come together [in a time of need].”
Bonnie DeMotte, Executive Director of Second Harvest in Sharpsburg, said the strength of the Triboro communities, individually and together, has been a silver lining during the response to the pandemic.
“Before this, I don’t think all the different leaders of these groups knew each other as well and certainly we are now all more aware of each [organization].” DeMotte said. “Now we can really help each other in these unprecedented times.”
DeMotte has partnered with Roots of Faith Director Kathleen Stanley to assist in food distribution to those in need and it is the only site currently in the borough. The extension of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Sharpsburg is connected to St. Vincent DePaul, which is part of the Catholic Diocese and closed indefinitely due to COVID-19.
Second Harvest and Roots of Faith are also working with Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization Executive Director Brittany Reno who has been writing grant applications in order to get more resources to the program.
Every week, DeMotte said they have been providing over 100 bags of food for individuals who are able attend the walk up distribution. They have also been delivering 300 bags to seniors and at-risk residents, as have Bread of Life Food Pantry and the Boys & Girls Club.
“It’s people helping people, you know?” said Weber. “You just don’t know how strong and caring you are until you get in a crisis like this and everyone comes out. It’s like both sides of the coin. The people who can give, give. The people who need to receive, receive.”
“We’re all praying for this virus to be over, but it’s going to be a long haul.”
Each organization is in need of food or monetary donations to keep up with demand. If you are able, please send checks or drop off donations to the locations below. If you are in need of food, there are resources below for meal distribution dates. If you are in immediate need of food, please call Alexis Weber at (412) 721-3343.
Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna
Food donations:
Monday’s from 2-4 p.m.
Wednesday’s from 6-8 p.m.
Friday’s from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
All Saints Activities Building
Church Alley between Wilson Street and Dewey Street
Follow Dewey St from Grant Ave, making a right on Wendlin Street, a Right on Wilson Street, and a Right on Church Alley.
Monetary donations:
94 Locust St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15223
Boys & Girls Club in Millvale
Food and monetary donations:
100 Howard St.
Millvale, PA 15209
Second Harvest + Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg
Food donations:
(Anytime)
101 Cabin Lane
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
(Wednesday’s only from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.)
800 Main St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Monetary donations:
800 Main St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Christ Lutheran Church in Millvale
Monetary:
Online or sent to 917 Evergreen Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15209
North Hill Community Outreach
Food donations:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Monetary donations:
Online or call Lin Kostura at (412) 487-6316, opt. 1 x 3131
Resources for residents in need:
Dinners for Neighbors
Wednesday
5-6 p.m.
Fugh Hall
27 Crescent Ave.
Etna, PA 15223
Tuesday
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Blawnox Fire Department
376 Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Wednesday
5:30-6:30 p.m.
The Sharpsburg Family Worship Center
200 8th St., Sharpsburg, PA 15215
Bread of Life Food Pantry Etna
Wednesday, May 13
10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20
1-3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27
6-8 p.m.
94 Locust St. Etna, PA 15223
Boys & Girls Club
Meals for children under 18
Share table with groceries and other items for anyone in need
Monday-Sunday
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
100 Howard St. Millvale, PA 15209
Second Harvest & Roots of Faith
Every Wednesday
Delivery to seniors and at-risk residents (email kathleen.stanley@faithfoxchapel.org)
Every Thursday
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
800 Main St. Pittsburgh, PA 15215
917 Evergreen Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Call 412-821-4300 or email Christlutheran917@gmail.com for mask and food distribution information
Wednesday, May 20
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
416 Lincoln Ave. Millvale, PA 15209
(Serves the 15209 zip code)