412 Gives Back on ‘412 Day’: Pine-based nonprofit helps feed people in need

Since the advent of area codes, “412” has a special meaning for Pittsburgh.

As such, April 12 does, too.

Given the name of the Pine-based philanthropic group 412 Gives Back, planning an event for 4/12 was a natural.

So on “412 Day,” 60 or so volunteers gathered to mark the occasion by making 150 sandwiches for delivery to Light of Life Rescue Mission, providing for people in need.

“With the turnout, it went by really fast,” Billie Higgins, 412 Gives Back co-founder, said. “I think the kids had a good time showing up for a good cause on a Friday night.”

They had a learning experience, as well.

“It’s definitely a way for kids to realize that there are people who are a lot less fortunate than us,” volunteer Laura Lawler said, “and it’s important that we take care of each other.”

For the occasion, many of the participants dressed in black and gold to celebrate Pittsburgh sports teams, and a prize was awarded for Best Yinzer Pride Outfit.

Donating meat and cheese for the sandwiches was Erie-based distributor Curtze Food Service, and Pine Township assisted with providing space at the local community center.

Higgins, who specializes in event planning, teamed with Amy Fleming, a pediatric nurse practitioner, to form 412 Gives Back just over a year ago. Their mission is to raise money and awareness for Pittsburgh-area nonprofits.

In November, the group supported Light of Life’s annual distribution of Thanksgiving dinner boxes, a tradition that began in 1952 and fed 10,000 people in 2023.

Two months later, the inaugural 412 Gives Back Gala raised an impressive $90,000 to benefit Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The 2025 gala, with a “Mad Hatter” theme, is in the works for January.

Last summer, philanthropically minded “412 Kids” set up a series of lemonade stands in Pine, raising nearly $4,500.

“And actually, we had a family do one on the Jersey Shore, because they were on vacation and wanted to participate,” Lawler, who handles media relations for 412 Gives Back, said.

This year, the stands are scheduled to be set up Aug. 19.

Another cause for 412 Gives Back is supporting the family of 9-year-old Jax Ramirez, who requires treatment for a life-threatening autoimmune disease. His mother, Missy, is a Pine-Richland school psychologist.

“After searching for a stem cell match for over two years and finding no match … he now has the chance for a lifesaving treatment through a clinical trial in Stanford, Calif. (San Francisco Bay area), starting in June,” Lawler wrote as organizer of a GoFundMe effort. “But there are many challenges and lots of costs associated for them to live there for several months.”

Regarding further beneficiaries, 412 Gives Back is accepting applications from nonprofits with local ties to the Pittsburgh area. For more information, visit www.412givesback.org.