Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank resumes walk-in food distributions

The pandemic had forced all events to be drive-up only

The pandemic had forced all events to be drive-up only

THE TIME SINCE. TOM: ANOTHER RETURN TO A PANDEMIC NORMAL. THE PLAZA IN OAKLAND IS JUST ONE SPOT THE FOOD BANK HAS REOPENED WALK-UP DISTRIBUTION EVENTS. SOMETHING PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A CAR ARE HAPPY TO HAVE BACK. >> A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HAPPY TO BE BACK. THEY CAME TO THE DISTRIBUTIONS PRE-PANDEMIC. TOM: WE CAUGHT UP WITH RACHEL MARTONE, THE FOODBANK’S DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR. NOW, YOU’LL SEE VOLUNTEERS IN THEIR WAREHOUSE IN DUQUESNE. WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, THE NEED FOR HELP BALLOONED. THOUSANDS DROVE UP TO SITES LIKE THIS. THE FOOD BANK HAD TO ACT QUICKLY TO SHIFT OPERATIONS TO MAKE IT WORK. PREPACKING BOXES TO KEEP THE LONG LINES MOVING. >> IT WAS EASY TO JUST PUT THE BOXES IN THE CAR, BUT IT REALLY LIMITS THE CHOICES THAT CUSTOMERS ARE SEEING. -- RECEIVING. TOM: DRIVE-UP EVENTS ARE HERE TO STAY, TOO. THEY SERVE A PURPOSE. BUT NOW, THEY’VE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART WALK-IN DISTRIBUTION EVENTS. >> THIS WAY, WE HAVE A LOT MORE LOOSE PRODUCE, FROZEN MEAT. IN THIS STYLE, IF FOLKS DO NOT LIKE TOMATOES, THEY DON’T HAVE TO TAKE TOMATOES. WE’RE NOT JUST HANDING THEM A BOX. TOM: HERE’S A MAP OF THE WALK-UP LOCATIONS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, EACH OPEN ONCE A MONTH. BUT THERE ARE ALSO SIMILAR SITES IN BEAVER FALLS, BUTLER, AND WASHINGTON. WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. THE NEXT EVENT IS TOMORROW FROM 3:30 TO 5:30 IN THE AFTERNOON. THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK HAS EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR WALK-UP AND DRIVE UP THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR THROUGHOUT WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THEY RECOMMEND IF YOU COME TO A WALK-UP SITE TO BRING A ROLLING CART TO TAKE EVERYTHING HOME. YOU WILL BE GETTING 30 TO 50 POUNDS OF FOOD. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS 4. ELENA: AND WTAE IS PARTNERING WITH THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK FOR A DAY OF GIVING. OUR WTAE PROJECT HUNGER TELETHON IS SET TO BE HELD NEXT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, FOCUSED ON HELPING

Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank resumes walk-in food distributions

The pandemic had forced all events to be drive-up only

Over the summer, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank resumed walk-in food distribution events.This comes after the COVID-19 pandemic forced food distributions to go to a drive-up style, where volunteers and National Guard troops would place pre-packaged boxes in people's trunks. It was a socially-distanced way to quickly get food to families, at a time when many found themselves in need."It was easy to just put the boxes in the car, but it really limits the choices that customers are seeing," said Rachel Martone, the Foodbank's Distribution Coordinator.She often works at the walk-in distributions, which happen several times a month. "A lot of folks are really happy to be back," she said. "They are folks who came to these distributions pre-pandemic."The walk-ins historically have been in more urban areas, which don't have the space for the cars that come with drive-up events.To be clear, the drive-up events are staying as well. The Foodbank has a list of times and dates for both types of locations, in Allegheny County and beyond, on its website. The next event is a walk-up site at Schenley Plaza in Oakland on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

PITTSBURGH —

Over the summer, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank resumed walk-in food distribution events.

This comes after the COVID-19 pandemic forced food distributions to go to a drive-up style, where volunteers and National Guard troops would place pre-packaged boxes in people's trunks. It was a socially-distanced way to quickly get food to families, at a time when many found themselves in need.

"It was easy to just put the boxes in the car, but it really limits the choices that customers are seeing," said Rachel Martone, the Foodbank's Distribution Coordinator.

She often works at the walk-in distributions, which happen several times a month.

"A lot of folks are really happy to be back," she said. "They are folks who came to these distributions pre-pandemic."

The walk-ins historically have been in more urban areas, which don't have the space for the cars that come with drive-up events.

To be clear, the drive-up events are staying as well. The Foodbank has a list of times and dates for both types of locations, in Allegheny County and beyond, on its website. The next event is a walk-up site at Schenley Plaza in Oakland on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank resumes walk-in food distributions

The pandemic had forced all events to be drive-up only

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