WHAT ’ S NEWS IN MCKEESPORT AREA
5TH ANNUAL EMMAUS SPIRIT RUN COSTUME 5K & 1-MILE FUN WALK
Put away your everyday running gear and get into the Halloween spirit at the 5th Annual Emmaus Spirit Run Costume 5k & 1-Mile Fun Walk on Saturday , Oct . 20 . The chipped 5k loops around the scenic Three Rivers Heritage Trail with the start and finish line in the South Shore Riverfront Park in the heart of the South Side Works . A family-friendly 1-mile fun walk along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is also available . The race kicks off at 8:30 a . m . Strollers are welcome !
This event offers prizes for overall and age-level winners , a spirited costume contest and post-race family fun , including pumpkin painting , Halloween crafts , photo booth , food and drinks , raffles and more ! All proceeds benefit the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh , which provides homes , services and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities . Online registration is available through ACTIVE . com . Sameday registrations welcome ! Event is rain or shine .
THE LAUREL BALLET & WESTMORELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ’ S ‘ THE NUTCRACKER ’
The Laurel Ballet in Greensburg will perform its 25th “ Nutcracker ” with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra on Saturday , Dec . 8 , at 2 and 7 p . m ., and Sunday , Dec . 9 , at 2 p . m ., at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg . This year is the symphony ’ s 50th anniversary , so the production will be especially wonderful .
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES INCREASE OF INCOME GUIDELINES FOR WIC PROGRAM
The Allegheny County Health Department ( ACHD ) announced that income guidelines for the PA Women , Infants and Children ( WIC ) Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program increased effective July 1 .
The 2018-2019 income limits for eligibility start with an annual gross income of $ 22,459 for a family of one ; $ 30,451 for two ; $ 38,443 for three ; $ 46,435 for four ; and $ 54,427 for five . Unborn children are counted when the woman is pregnant . Foster children can qualify for the program . Allegheny County residents with family sizes larger than five should contact the health department ’ s WIC program directly for benefit information by calling 412.350.5801 .
WIC is a federally funded program for pregnant women , postpartum and breastfeeding mothers , infants and children under the age of 5 . Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk .
WIC families receive nutrition counseling , breastfeeding support and food vouchers redeemable at participating grocery stores for infant formula , infant cereal , jarred baby foods , milk , eggs , cheese , yogurt , juice , cereal , peanut butter , whole grains including
bread , tortillas , oatmeal , rice and pasta , soy beverage , tofu , dry or canned beans , canned chunk light tuna , pink salmon or sardines , and fresh , frozen or canned fruits and vegetables including organic varieties .
WIC participants are also eligible to receive vouchers for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program ( FMNP ) through Sept . 28 , or while supplies last . The FMNP vouchers can be redeemed for locally grown Pennsylvania fruits and vegetables at FMNP-authorized PA farmers markets and farm stands through Nov . 30 .
For information about WIC and how to apply for benefits , please call the health department ’ s WIC program at 412.350.5801 . If this number is a toll call or you live outside Allegheny County , please call the statewide toll-free number , 1.800 . WIC . WINS , or visit pawic . com . PA WIC is funded by the USDA . This institution is an equal opportunity provider .
FOOD BANK CHANGES BUSINESS MODEL TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank estimates that in five years nearly 50 percent of its inventory will be fresh produce , moving from more than eight million pounds distributed last year to 24 million pounds in 2022 . Understanding that the cost of fresh produce is too expensive for many of the
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