That’s why SHIM kicked off its annual
“Sack Hunger, Pack Hope” campaign in
February, to help raise funds for its food
pantry operations throughout the year and
collect food to round out the winter season
and get a jump on spring food pantry days.
The campaign serves to raise awareness,
dollars and much-needed food for local
families in need to support SHIM’s three
food pantries located in Bethel Park, Baldwin
and at its Prospect Park Family Center in
Whitehall. Last year’s record-shattering
effort saw community groups, congregations,
troop s, schools and workplaces coming
together to make sure no neighbors go
hungry.
“Sack Hunger is the quintessential example
of neighbors helping neighbors,” says Guffey.
“When we all come together, there’s nothing
we can’t do together.”
Based on community response in 2016,
the goals for 2017 are ambitious. SHIM
hopes to raise $100,000 and collect 36,000
pounds of food. Thanks to Casey Family
Foundation matching funds, cash donations
will be doubled.
“The food the community brings in
during drives is fantastic,” Guffey notes. “But
the added dollars are critical since we can
leverage the buying power of the Greater
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank which, in
most cases, has five times the impact.”
The community is encouraged to get
involved by hosting a drive, making a
monetary gift to SHIM’s food pantry
operations, and spreading the word by
posting on social media, hanging up posters
throughout the community and telling
friends and family.
To learn more about how to get involved,
visit shimcares.org or contact Seth Dubin at
[email protected]. ■
South Fayette | Summer 2017 | icmags.com 35