When people ask Becky Abrams whether Squirrel Hill even
needs the food pantry she directs, Abrams assures them the local hunger problem is real – and growing. The 11-year-old
Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry is re-opening in a new and larger location to serve more than 600 people a month – a client list that has grown 85 percent in the last five years – 30 percent in 2010 alone.
"It's more than we've served over a 12-month period, and we have three months to go," Abrams says.
Moving to 828 Hazelwood Avenue on Nov. 1, the Pantry will no longer simply distribute pre-bagged foods but offer each client a choice among non-perishable, fresh and frozen items, according to the size of each household. Abrams says this will give clients more of what they need and result in less waste.
The agency will also be able to offer more social services on site, not only helping people to sign up for food stamps and rent and heating funds but providing access to tax preparation, health care and job counseling in the building.
Although the Pantry is run by
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh, it is open to anyone in the 15217 Zip code and will now provide non-kosher as well as kosher food for the first time.
"It's a hard thing for someone to walk into a food pantry, for someone who has been a productive member of society," says Abrams. "Usually when people come to us they need so much more than food."
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Writer:
Marty LevineSource: Becky Abrams, Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry
Image courtesy of Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry