Food Pantries Receive $235,000 Grant

South Hills Interfaith Ministries in Bethel Park was the recipient on Thursday of a grant presented by Walmart and the Walmart Foundation.

South Hills Interfaith Ministries, a group that helps many communities in this area, received $30,000 to run its Pantry Plus program.

“Poverty is usually hidden in suburban communities, but all of that is beginning to change as the needs keep growing,” said Jim Guffey, executive director of South Hills Interfaith Ministries, whose pantry distributes more than 250,000 pounds of food per year.

Funding from and the Walmart Foundation targets organizations working to help those in need in the Pittsburgh area.

The ministries’ pantry enables needy families to choose from a large variety of fresh breads, canned goods, frozen items, pastas, desserts and beverages twice a month. The program also offers support to help families become more self-sufficient.

Also attending the check presentation were representatives from Northside Common Ministries, a member of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

South Hills Interfaith Ministries and Northside Common Ministries receive weekly deliveries from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a member of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, which received $235,000—the largest grant awarded by the Walmart Foundation in the state this year. The grant will support the association’s network of 21 food banks throughout Pennsylvania.

Two refrigerated food delivery trucks, each valued at $90,000, also were donated to help Hunger-Free Pennsylvania affiliates.

To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. For details, see www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.

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