Giving
beyond the
holiday
Season
BY W.B. FRESA
J
has his sights set on encouraging
ohn Dick, Director of the
those who are so generous during
Rosedale Food Pantry, has
the holiday season to continue to
been doing his part to provide
The Rosedale Food Pantry sets
support Rosedale Food Pantry
for the families in Penn
its sights on continued giving into
into the new year.
Hills for a long time.
the new year.
“There are so many people in
“People always ask me how long
our community who work hard for
I’ve been doing this,” he says. “I
what they have and, at the same time,
started as a volunteer in 1990 and have
may only be a paycheck away from needing our help,” he says.
been in the director’s chair for the last 18 years. I enjoy it and will
“That’s why it’s important we help each other and give when we
continue until I can’t do it anymore.”
can. We can all be a part of trying to end hunger by chipping in to
What he and a host of volunteers do is provide boxes of food
help those in need.
to 200 families in the Penn Hills area on a weekly basis. Located
“We have so many generous contributors who provide food
on Third Street, Rosedale Food Pantry packs boxes filled with
and non-perishable items during the holidays. They are some
food items for registered clients. They come to the pantry on
of our most valued supporters. But it’s usually after the holidays
Wednesdays between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., and walk away happy.
when we see a drop in donations.”
“It can be a busy place during those hours but we’re happy to
Donations to Rosedale Food Pantry can be made in several
accommodate everyone,” says John. “And we’re one of the only
ways. Checks can be written to Rosedale Food Pantry and mailed
food pantries in the area who have evening hours.”
to 448 Geisler Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15221; online donations can
Clients wanting to receive food from Rosedale must meet
be made at rosedalefoodbank.org. The
certain income guidelines put in place
donation section is on the home page
by state and federal authorities because
under “Lend a Hand.” Just select one
some of the donations are provided
“We have so many generous
of the pre-designated options starting
utilizing government subsidies.
contributors who provide
at $10 and follow the prompts. There is
However, the majority of food comes
also an option for one-time or monthly
from the Greater Pittsburgh Community
food and non-perishable items
donations. “It’s secure, easy to navigate,
Food Bank.
during the holidays. They
and the money goes directly to support
“I don’t know how we would meet
our efforts at Rosedale Food Pantry,”
the demands of our clients without the
are some of our most valued
John adds.
Pittsburgh Food Bank,” says John. “And
supporters. But it’s usually
Items can also be dropped off at
being this close to the holidays, the
the
location on Third Street, and the
demands are even greater, but we will
after the holidays when we
church is always open to accept non-
meet them.”
see a drop in donations.”
perishable items. n
But once the holiday season ends,
donations tend to decrease. John already
» To learn more about Rosedale Food Pantry, visit the website or call 412.302.2509.
PENN HILLS
❘
WINTER 2018
11