Arnold food pantry warned about leaving food outdoors; service will continue
A few boxes of bananas earned an Arnold food pantry a code violation warning last Saturday.
But the warning won’t stop food from being available to those who need it.
City code enforcement left a warning notice at The Speed Family Blessing Box and Pantry for leaving four boxes of bananas outside overnight.
The warning notice said leaving perishable food items outside could attract raccoons and rodents.
Pantry founder and CEO Chelsey Speed posted a photo of the warning to Facebook the next day, eliciting dozens of comments in support of the nonprofit. Many of the comments were critical of the city for warning the food pantry while, they claim, ignoring trash and other items left out on residential properties in the city.
The incident has been resolved, according to Speed and Al Colelli, Arnold’s code enforcement officer. While Colelli said the city has a garbage problem — that isn’t being ignored — Speed is a “very clean, respectful business owner.”
Speed routinely puts food, toiletries and other essentials outside for families to take, no questions asked.
“I’ve done this for a year,” Speed said. “It’s never bothered anyone.”
Located at 1702 Fifth Ave., the nonprofit receives two or three shipments from 412 Food Rescue each week, plus donations from other local organizations. It splits these resources between an indoor food pantry for more than 900 client families and an outdoor pickup service available to all.
The pantry did not open its doors over the holidays but continued to place food outside.
Speed said it’s not the first time she has run into trouble with code officials. A Westmoreland County health inspector paid a visit to the pantry during its annual spaghetti dinner over complaints of serving food without an adequate kitchen.
The event was catered, meaning a kitchen wasn’t necessary.
Speed said the latest warning won’t affect service, though she may use weatherized cabinets to avoid further concerns.
“I know what I need to do moving forward,” Speed said. “I just want to be a resource for the community.”
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering the Freeport Area and Kiski Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on Penn Hills municipal affairs. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at jtroy@triblive.com.
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