Basic Needs Assistance
SHIM helps neighbors meet basic needs through food pantries, a free clothing closet, and a yearly back to school distribution.
SHIM’s three food pantries help to combat food insecurity here in the South Hills. Each pantry operates twice monthly and neighbors are encouraged to attend whichever location is most convenient for them.
Pantry Eligibility
Our three fully stocked food pantries are available to eligible neighbors in the following South Hills school districts: Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, South Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. In addition to food, cleaning and personal care items are also available. Diapers are offered thanks to a partnership with the Western PA Diaper Bank and pet food is available thanks to Animal Friends.
One-time emergency food is available to anyone in need. Registration is not required for first-time pantry visits.
Seniors
Senior food boxes are available on a monthly basis for eligible seniors aged 60 and older.
Updates
Bethel Park’s pantry distributions are held indoors and outdoors. Some items may be prepackaged at outdoor distributions.
We have limited capacity to make food deliveries. Please contact us if you feel you are in need of food deliveries from our pantries.
We’re here to help.
Please contact Molly Penderville at mpenderville@shimcares.org or 412-854-9120 ext. 108 for more information.
Food Pantries
SHIM food pantries occur six times per month at three locations:
SHIM South Hills Family Center
41 Macek Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Baldwin United Presbyterian Church
201 Knoedler Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15236
SHIM Center at Bethel Park
5301 Park Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102
*Pantry dates may vary due to holidays or other scheduling conflicts, so check the Pantry Calendar for exact dates.
SHIM purchases 70% of distributed food from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
SHIM’s Community Gardens harvest more than 15,000 pounds of food to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to SHIM’s food pantries.
SHIM serves 3,500 individuals monthly through three food pantries in Bethel Park, Whitehall, and Baldwin. During the pandemic, we saw a 41% rise in need, with more than 5,000 new individuals attending for the first time.
Even as the pandemic waned, we continued to see more neighbors in need, serving 7,869 in 2023. Half of pantry participants are refugee and immigrant families, 35% are children, and 15% are age 60+.
Looking to donate food or clothing?
Please follow the link below.
In the past year, community members and partners donated over 187,285 pounds of food.
SHIM has 500% purchasing power at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, meaning financial contributions to the program have five times more impact.
SHIM provides 2,500 clothing and small household items to South Hills neighbors. Operating Mondays from 10am-1pm each week, SHIM’s Clothing Closet provides free clothing for infants, children, and adults all year round. This program is operating at South Hills Church of the Nazarene. If you are looking to donate items, please bring them directly to the church on Mondays while the closet is operating.
Clothing Closet
Back to School
Every August SHIM hosts Back to School distributions to help South Hills kids go back to school with the backpacks and supplies that they need.
Financial and Utility Assistance
We also help individuals and families with emergency financial aid, utility assistance, employment support and more.
Additional Assistance
Youth and Family Support
SHIM offers an array of programs to children and families, such as parenting classes, Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC), support groups, home visits, Early Childhood Program, After School, Youth Mentoring and Summer Camp.
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Check out this video to see first hand the impact of SHIM’s food pantry in the South Hills community.
Give
With 500% buying power at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, your financial contribution will buy more food for families in the South Hills. Give on our secure online form here.
Host a Drive
Learn more about hosting a drive, find a list of most needed items, download printable fliers, and register here.
Donate
SHIM relies on generous community donors like you to help our South Hills neighbors. Find a list of ways to help here.
