Emergency food distribution at Pittsburgh International Airport set for Wednesday

Michael Divittorio | Tuesday, April 21, 2020 8:06 p.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank distribution on April 9, 2020, in Pittsburgh.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host an emergency food distribution at Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Organizers plan to serve about 1,500 vehicles 1-3 p.m. in the airport parking lots.

“The airport is an ideal location,” said Lisa Scales, food bank president and CEO. “It will be one of our largest distributions to date. Based on logistics, this is hopefully going to be one of our easiest and smoothest distributions.”

Only those attending the event in a vehicle will be served due to safety precautions. No walk-ups will be permitted. Allegheny County Police will be assisting with traffic control.

Participants will receive two boxes of food per car regardless of the number of families or groups in the vehicle.

The two boxes equal about 50 pounds of food.

Other safety guidelines for the distribution include:

• Cars will not be permitted to arrive until 10 a.m.

• Vehicles may not wait on the side of the highway or near airport property, including the Sunoco gas station nearby.

• Maintain 6-foot social distancing. Leaving cars to socialize is prohibited. Bathroom use will be permitted.

• Participants should not get out of their cars for distribution. Food will be loaded into the vehicle.

• Put the car in park and unlock the trunk or back doors after pulling up to the distribution area.

• Stay alert and follow the guidance of food bank staff and police as they direct cars through the area.

Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said the authority are happy to put the parking lots to good use.

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an integral part of the community,” Cassotis said. “Our facilities will always be used to help the region. With traffic down and large, quiet spaces available, we are finding new ways to serve. We are proud to partner with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for this event and we look forward to assisting those in need.”

Those who need assistance, but to not have access to a vehicle should visit pittsburghfoodbank.org for information on opportunities for help, including a map of food pantries, meals for children and food stamps application assistance.

More information on upcoming distributions and how the food bank is handling the novel coronavirus pandemic is available here.