See inside the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's new market

The Market, which has a grocery store feel, is still in its testing phase

The Market, which has a grocery store feel, is still in its testing phase

EVENT AT THE DAVID LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER. WTAE PROJECT HUNGER COVERAGE NOW. THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK IS ALWAYS HARD AT WORK, MAKING SURE OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED HAVE FOOD IN THE PANTRIES, AND ON THEIR TABLES. NEW ON 4, PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS 4 REPORTER TOM GARRIS WITH A LOOK AT THEIR LATEST PROJECT. >> SO, THIS IS THE AISLE WHERE YOU CAN STOCK UP FOR THE COLD WINTER MONTHS, IN THIS IS THE FOOD THAT WILL LAST A LOT LONGER. TOM: CHARLESE MCKINNEY IS THE FOOD BANK’S CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER. SHE’S SHOWING US THEIR NEW SPACE, SIMPLY CALLED "THE MARKET." IT FEELS JUST LIKE ANY GROCERY STORE, MINUS THE PRICE TAGS. THE CANNED AND BOXED GOODS IN THIS NEW FOOD PANTRY ARE COMPLEMENTED BY PLENTY OF FRESH DAIRY, VEGETABLES AND MORE. >> AND SO, THIS IS WHERE WE STORE OUR PRODUCT OVERNIGHT. DURING THE DAY, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL PRODUCE CASES AT BOTH ENDS OF THE AISLES. WE HAVE NONFOOD ITEMS, THINGS THAT SNAP BENEFITS NOT COVER. WE OFFER THE ESSENTIALS LIKE TOOTHPASTE, TOILET PAPER, LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. TOM: THE MARKET WILL ALLOW ANYONE IN NEED TO COME DOWN TO SHOP THE STOCKED AISLES DURING ITS OPERATING HOURS. THAT WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WEEKLY DISTRIBUTION EVENTS. IT’S GOT THE MODERN TOUCHES, TOO. THEY’LL HAVE AN ONLINE SHOP OPTION, WHERE YOU CAN ORDER FOOD AHEAD AND PICK IT UP WHEN YOU GET THERE. >> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH SERVICE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. SO IF YOU’RE COMING IN, YOU ARE NOT FEELING LIKE YOU’RE GETTING A HANDOUT. TOM: IT IS STILL IN THE TESTING PHASE, GETTING THE FINAL PIECES IN PLACE. IT WILL BE OPEN ONCE THAT WRAPS UP. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS 4. ELENA: THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK IS LAUNCHING A NEW PASSCARD SYSTEM THIS FALL. IT’S A SMALL, SCANNABLE PLASTIC CARD, EASILY ATTACHED TO A KEYCHAIN. WE’RE TOLD, WITH THESE NEW CARDS, FAMILIES WILL NO LONGER NEED TO PREREGISTER FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. THEY ALSO ALLOW THE FOOD BANK TO RECORD GUEST VISITS QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR A PASSCARD, YOU CAN ATTEND ONE OF THE FOOD BANK’S SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTIONS. AND A REMINDER THAT WTAE CHANNEL 4 IS PARTNERING WITH THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK FOR A DAY OF GIVING. OUR WTAE PROJECT HUNGER TELETHON IS SET FOR THIS THURSDAY, AS WE HELP OUR NEIGHBORS DEALING WITH

See inside the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's new market

The Market, which has a grocery store feel, is still in its testing phase

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is preparing to open its new food pantry, called the Market, at its warehouse in Duquesne.It feels just like any grocery store, with shelves stocked with everything from dry goods, meat and produce, as well as essential items not covered by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits."We want to be able to provide people with dignity and service and respect," said Charlese McKinney, the Food Banks Chief Program Officer. "So if you're coming in, you're not feeling like you're getting a handout."The Market is still in its testing phase, as the Food Bank is working out the final details before it is ready to open to the public. It will have its hours posted closer to the opening date.But the ability for people in need to drop in at any time the Market is open allows for greater flexibility for those who may not be able to make it to distribution events, which happen weekly.It also has modern touches, including online ordering and pickup."It's bright. It's colorful," McKinney said. "It's a place you want to come back to."WTAE Channel 4 is partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for a Day of Giving.Tune in to our 5th annual Project Hunger Telethon this Thursday, Sept. 15. There are two ways to donate:Text "4HUNGER" to 50155Give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org/projecthunger84 Lumber and Nemacolin will match all donations up to $50,000.

DUQUESNE, Pa. —

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is preparing to open its new food pantry, called the Market, at its warehouse in Duquesne.

It feels just like any grocery store, with shelves stocked with everything from dry goods, meat and produce, as well as essential items not covered by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

"We want to be able to provide people with dignity and service and respect," said Charlese McKinney, the Food Banks Chief Program Officer. "So if you're coming in, you're not feeling like you're getting a handout."

The Market is still in its testing phase, as the Food Bank is working out the final details before it is ready to open to the public. It will have its hours posted closer to the opening date.

But the ability for people in need to drop in at any time the Market is open allows for greater flexibility for those who may not be able to make it to distribution events, which happen weekly.

It also has modern touches, including online ordering and pickup.

"It's bright. It's colorful," McKinney said. "It's a place you want to come back to."

WTAE Channel 4 is partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for a Day of Giving.

Tune in to our 5th annual Project Hunger Telethon this Thursday, Sept. 15.

There are two ways to donate:

Text "4HUNGER" to 50155
Give online at pittsburghfoodbank.org/projecthunger

84 Lumber and Nemacolin will match all donations up to $50,000.

See inside the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's new market

The Market, which has a grocery store feel, is still in its testing phase

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