Sharpsburg food pantry emergency food distribution helps about 130 families

More than 130 Fox Chapel Area families received emergency food this month thanks to the quick work of volunteers at the Sharpsburg-based St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Doors were open to all who needed help from the pantry, which was run out of the St. Mary Church along Garnier Street May 6.

It was a week after about 400,000 people across Southwestern Pennsylvania lost power due to severe storms.

Crews from Duquesne Light and West Penn Power, as well as other utility support, worked day and night to restore service.

Pantry organizers Becky Urso and Jennifer Begg and their team also worked tirelessly as the days ticked down to restock perishables discarded when freezers and refrigerators could not stay cold.

The church was without power for two days.

They were able to get meats and dairy products from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank the morning of May 6 for an emergency distribution.

Urso said there was so much demand that they had to replenish supplies later that day.

The next regular distribution is Thursday, May 15.

“I’m super blessed to have such a great group of volunteers that care about their clients and about the community,” said Urso, 55, of Indiana Township. “We were just so fortunate to have such generous people to donate the money so that we could restock.”

The pantry’s regular distributions take place the third Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Urso said they were able to sign up 20 new families at the emergency distribution.

“I just think this area always pulls together and just provides for those in need,” she said. “It’s such a good feeling to live somewhere that you know everyone’s going to work together in times of need.”

About 30 volunteers help package and deliver food, including retired Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh teachers Grace Link, 70, and Patricia Faub, 80, both of Penn Hills’ Rosedale neighborhood.

Participants received four frozen proteins, including chicken, fish and beef. Bags also came with milk, eggs and margarine while supplies lasted.

Link said she and Faub made an excellent team working by the coolers. The pair both attend services at the Sharpsburg church.

“I think it’s rewarding to be able to give back,” Link said.

People who want to donate to the pantry can make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and mail them to Christ the King Parish, 342 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.

More information is available at sharpsburgfoodpantry.org.