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Food Assistance – Coronavirus

food assistance

Several food assistance resources are available for you and your family during the coronavirus crisis. See the list below for several locations offering food distribution, free meals, and more. Also check out this list of Allegheny County free food distribution sites.

Resource Categories:
Food Assistance (General)
Food Resources for Children & Families
Take-Out Options
Grocery Shopping

 

FOOD ASSISTANCE:

(Updated 3/24/20)

  • Anyone who is currently out of work due to COVID-19 and currently has NO income is eligible for SFPP (State Food Purchase Program) and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) using this self-declaration of need form. On the self-declaration of need form, they can simply circle $0 as they have no income. However, they should be advised that if/when their income resumes, they would need to fill out new paperwork and declare that if they intend to continue to obtain food through these programs.
    • Similarly, anyone who has lost hours, etc. because of COVID-19 and has a reduced income may be eligible for SFPP and TEFAP. On the self-declaration of need form, they should circle the income level that currently reflects their new (and potentially temporary) circumstances. As noted above, once income picks back up, they would need to fill out new paperwork and declare that if they intend to continue to obtain food through these programs.
  • Apply for Food Stamps (SNAP) & get answers about eligibility
  • WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
    • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA State WIC Program has issued a directive to all
      local WIC agencies in Pennsylvania instructing them that they are not permitted to
      enroll new WIC participants for the next 8 weeks. They are working on a system that will
      allow WIC to enroll participants remotely and in compliance with USDA regulations.
    • If a client has a new baby and requires infant formula, WIC has partnered with an
      organization called Chartwell. Have the pediatrician fax a referral to 412-920-2830. The
      referral must include the insurance information and contact information so Chartwell
      can contact the client.
    • Traducción Española (Spanish translation)
Food Distribution
  • Allegheny County food distribution sites
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 412-460-FOOD (3663)
  • JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry – open and continuing to serve 15217 and families that eat Kosher outside the area code. Individuals receive pre-bagged foods when they come to the pantry. Contact 412-421-2708 for more information
    • The JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry’s critical needs social workers are available to help residents in the Greater Pittsburgh area connect to resources and support. Contact 412-422-7200 to connect with a social worker
  • South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) – Pantry open regular hours; distributing pre-packed boxes of groceries. See site for program updates, or for emergency food, please contact Molly Penderville at (412) 854-9120 ext. 108 or [email protected]
  • Southwest PA Meals On Wheels – home meal delivery for people aged 60+ or those of any age that are younger if recovering from injury, illness, or surgery
  • Age Well Pittsburgh
    • Now offering Meals to Go: Meal pickups will be drive-through only, between 11 am and 2 pm Mondays and Wednesdays at the Darlington entrance of the JCC Kaufmann Building, 5738 Darlington Road, Squirrel Hill, beginning Monday, March 23.
    • On Mondays, we will be providing one hot and one cold meal – covering two days. On Wednesdays, we will be providing one hot and two cold meals – covering three days.
    • Those who are picking up are not to get out of their vehicles. Participants may pick up for a registered spouse but not for friends. If a senior is unable to pick up meals, please contact Home Delivered Meals at 412-350-5460 or Senior Line 412-350-5460 or 1-800-344-4319 (Toll-free)
    • Participants must call into our lunch line at 412-567-1715 by 8 pm the night before the Monday or Wednesday pickup to reserve each week. Please leave your name (and spouse if picking up for them), and if you will be picking up Monday and/or Wednesday.
    • If you have questions, please leave a message on the on the lunch reservation line, 412-567-1715, and we will call you back. *We regret that we are unable to accommodate walk-ins or to register new clients at this time.

 

FOOD RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES:

  • Pittsburgh Public Schools (UPDATED 03/24/20) – Grab & Go lunches for students are available for students in 29 locations around the city.  Please check the website for updates. **Some locations are closed due to the risk of coronavirus exposure. Find the next nearest location to you. Meals will also be provided at these locations:
    • Meals will be distributed between 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Multiple meals will be distributed on Tuesday and Friday.

  • Woodland Hills School District (UPDATED 03/24/20) – Students may receive GRAB and GO Breakfast and Lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the following locations:
    • District Administration Building located at 531 Jones Ave North Braddock PA 15104; Meals will be distributed to students at the side entrance located next to the parking lot.
    • Rankin School located at 235 Fourth Ave Rankin PA 15104; Meals will be distributed at the front entrance of the building.
    • Woodland Hills Intermediate School located at 7600 Evans Ave Swissvale PA 15218; Meals will be distributed to students from door #2 located to the right of the entrance ramp to the school.
    • Turtle Creek El Steam Academy located at 126 Monroeville Ave Turtle Creek PA 15145; Meals will be distributed to students from door #2 located at the driveway to the right of the front entrance to the school where parents presently pick up and drop off their students.
    • Propel Braddock Hills Elementary School – 10 AM to 12PM, Mondays and Thursdays. Breakfast and Lunch, three days at a time.
    • Students may receive meals at the location that is most convenient to their home. Recipients will get one lunch and one breakfast at the same time, plus additional meals for the weekend on Fridays. The meals are intended to be GRAB and GO.  The facilities will not be open to use as a place to eat the meals.
    • As of 3/23/2020 the State of Pennsylvania stipulates that students need to be present to receive the meal(s). If this changes we will update ASAP
  • Carlynton School District Meal Distribution (UPDATED 3/24/20)
    • Meal distribution will begin Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 10 am to 11 am at Carnegie Elementary School and Carnegie Borough Building, and from 11 am to 12 noon at Crafton Elementary School.

 

TAKE-OUT OPTIONS:

Restaurants have closed their dining rooms but are offering take-out meals and delivery. (Updated 3/24/20)

  • Pittsburgh Magazine is updating this list daily
  • Pittsburgh City Paper is updating this list daily
  • Good Food Pittsburgh also has a list
Restaurants with Free Meals for Kids & Families
  • Piada Restaurant, 3600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213: K-12 students who depend on our school systems for lunch – a free kid’s pasta with sauce, cheese and a fountain drink; Monday – Friday (March 16 – April 3), during lunch hours of 10:45am – 1:00pm to students affected
  • Lelulo’s Pizzeria, 311 Unity Trestle Road, Plum: Tuesday-Friday, 11am-2pm. Pizza, salad, 6-inch sub chicken tenders and fries. More info here
  • United Presbyterian Church in New Kensington ; 601 Fifth Ave.; Starting Monday, 9-10 a.m. and noon-1 p.m. Grade school and college students can ring a doorbell at the entrance marked No. 3 to pick up a bag of food. No sign-ups required
  • ARNOLD’S TEA – Chef Claudy Pierre; 502 E Ohio St., North Side; 412-322-2494;  From 3 pm to 7 pm, Arnold’s Tea will be offering free hot dinners, one per person, to Pittsburgh Families on the North Side as a pick-up location. He will continue to do this until he runs out of inventory. Check his social media page before going to ensure there is food: https://www.instagram.com/arnoldsteapittsburgh/
  • Peoples Indian Restaurant: Peoples Indian Restaurant is humbly extending a helping hand to its neighbors who may be in need. If you aren’t able to get a meal, or you have a child that you aren’t able to get a meal for, please call us at 412-661-3160 and we will have a to-go lunch box of chicken curry, chick peas, and rice available for you to pick up. Pick up available from 11:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Saturday. Please call ahead so we can minimize contact.

 

GROCERY SHOPPING:

(Updated 3/24/20)

Do you need assistance accessing any of this information in another language or contacting service providers? Please call our hotline and leave a message at 412-742-4200 in your preferred language or submit a referral online.