LOOP
IN THE
C O N T I N U E D
SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM CONTINUES ACROSS WASHINGTON COUNTY
Community organizations across Washington County are offering fun and free healthy meals to children. Through the Summer Food Program, a federally funded nutrition program that provides free meals to children ages 18 and under when school is not in session, organizations such as community centers, churches, parks, playgrounds, libraries and schools across the county will provide more than 46,000 meals to children this summer.
More than 10,000 children in the county qualify for free and reduced school meals during the school year. When school ends for the summer, parents face increased food costs in addition to things like child care. This can lead to children receiving unhealthy meals and experiencing fatigue, weight gain and summer learning loss, leaving many children unprepared to return to school in the fall.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank( the Food Bank) works with Summer Food Program sites and sponsors across the county to expand participation in the program.
Most summer food sites are open mid-June through mid-August. Parents, guardians and children can find a site near them by calling 2.1.1 or by texting FOOD to 877.877.
“ We know summer can be tough for the hundreds of thousands of families with children across the region who rely on school meals,” says Lisa Scales, President and CEO of the Food Bank.“ The Summer Food Program is a vital resource for these families to stretch their budgets a little farther while ensuring their children have
the proper nutrition they need to grow and thrive during the summer.”
According to Feeding America’ s Map the Meal Gap, 6,840 children across Washington County are not sure where their next meal will come from. By providing free, nutritious meals throughout the summer, the Summer Food Program ensures that more children have access to the food they need to learn and grow.
Any organizations or individuals interested in learning more about how to become involved with the Summer Food Program can contact the Food Bank by email at partnership @ pittsburghfoodbank. org.
About Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 that distributes more than 31 million meals annually throughout a network of nearly 400 member agencies across 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information on hunger in our region or how to get involved, visit pittsburghfoodbank. org.
NORTHWOOD RACE TO BENEFIT CITY MISSION’ S PATRIOT HOUSE
On August 11, at 7 a. m., the Northwood Charitable Foundation will host the third annual Mission Possible 5K Race / 1-Mile Fun Walk at Peterswood Park in Venetia. Proceeds from the race will support City Mission’ s Patriot House, the newly constructed 22-bed residential facility serving veterans.
“ The Patriot House is a critical component to the healing process for our veteran population,” says Dean Gartland, President / CEO of City Mission.“ Having our veterans living together and supporting one another is the best way for veterans to obtain lasting results.”
The Patriot House officially opened its doors on July 3, and is already housing seven veterans. One of those new residents is Kevin Lubitz. A veteran of the Navy and current resident of City Mission, he has successfully completed his recovery program and is now a member of the City Mission staff. He will serve as a Resident Assistant at the new Patriot House, where he will be a leader and mentor for incoming veterans.
“ The Patriot House will be a great place for veterans to heal,” Lubitz says.“ It’ s a program run by veterans and for veterans. It helps veterans to relate to people who have had similar experiences and struggles. There is a camaraderie between veterans, a sense of community.”
The doors of the Patriot House are now open, but the work is just beginning. The Northwood Charitable Foundation is partnering with City Mission to support this work by hosting the Mission Possible 5K Race / 1-Mile Fun Walk and agreeing to match every dollar raised at the event up to $ 15,000. If you pay the $ 25 registration fee for the event, which will ensure that you get a gift bag and a race t-shirt, the Patriot House will receive $ 50.
“ The Northwood Charitable Foundation supports the Patriot House, because we’ re a housing-related organization, and we also support veterans, so it was a good match on both issues,” says Jeff McCartney, a Northwood Realtor in Peters Township who is also on the Board of the Northwood Charitable Foundation.
The race will begin at 7 a. m. on Saturday, August 11, at Peterswood Park and wind along the park’ s scenic walking trail.“ One of the most unique things about this 5K,” McCartney notes,“ is the fact that it is at Peterswood Park, along the park trail, while most races are on public streets.”
This is the third annual Mission Possible Race. Last year’ s race had over 100 runners and walkers, but the Northwood Foundation is expecting an even bigger turnout this year.
You can register for the race at racewire. com. Registration will also be available the day of the event from 6 to 6:45 a. m. at the VFW located at 460 Valleybrook Road in McMurray.
For more information about the race, visit racewire. com or call race coordinator Emily Hillebrand at 412.657.4845. ■
32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags. com