By Kelly Pare, Philanthropy Stewardship Coordinator, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank relies on a vast community of supporters to provide our neighbors struggling to fill their plates with the food and resources they need to thrive. We serve to ensure no one has to go hungry, but also to stabilize lives and confront issues of chronic hunger, poor nutrition and health. Whether you need help or give help, by joining our community you can ensure all of our neighbors have enough food.
I joined the Food Bank in 2022, as a community engagement intern and eventually transitioned to my current role as philanthropy stewardship coordinator. My position is designed to help connect people from across Pennsylvania in support of community members facing food insecurity. This often includes working with many people and organizations in the Food Bank community. In this work, I feel a sense of fulfillment in knowing that community members continue to stay engaged with the Food Bank and our mission, even in the most uncertain times. Recently, I had the pleasure of working closely with South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) and was able to see firsthand some of the impact that our partner agencies are having in connecting communities to vital resources. 
At the heart of the Food Bank community are the 1,000+ partner agencies across the 11 counties we serve in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Food Bank relies on collaboration with a variety of food assistance programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, emergency shelters, churches, missions, school outreach centers and more to act as a bridge between our organization and our neighbors. These valuable partnerships allow us to increase access to healthy foods for individuals, families, children and seniors facing food insecurity.
Not only do partner agencies help us deliver food to people in need, they also share their knowledge of the area and the neighbors in their communities. SHIM has been a valued partner agency of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for 40 years! Adept at serving the refugee and immigrant populations in Pittsburgh’s South Hills neighborhoods, we’ve taken cues from SHIM about ways to be more inclusive. From translating our materials to sourcing ethnic foods, we count on insights from partners like SHIM working in the local communities every day to inform and improve the way we work. With a focus on holistic service, SHIM illustrates the ways in which additional human services partnered with food resources help individuals and families improve their economic stability. Food insecurity impacts so many parts of people’s lives, and we know that it can be indicative of a greater need for support. At SHIM, program participants work with service coordinators on identifying additional resources to help meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency and build community.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and SHIM have both grown significantly in the last five years. The Food Bank has made fresh produce more widely available for our partners, developed new innovations to reduce barriers to food access, targeted underserved communities and helped expand the capacity of our network agencies to help meet the needs. Because of the dramatic increase in people accessing their food pantry, SHIM was one of the agencies that worked with the Food Bank to help them expand their storage space and invest in reliable operations. As one of the largest partners of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, SHIM picks up food six times per month, with each order totaling 10,000 pounds per visit. This poundage supported the distribution of approximately 722,465 pounds of food items between July 2024 and July 2025 with a mix of non-food items, produce, meat, dairy and more.
Partners like SHIM remind us that with dedication and meaningful collaboration, we can all support our neighbors in times of need. We value the people we serve, the partnerships we build and the integrity of our work. Our strategic plans (Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and SHIM) reflect our commitment to deliver impactful services throughout our community. 
Food insecurity can happen to anyone at any time to people from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. No matter where you are in your life, know that agencies like Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and South Hills Interfaith Movement are here to serve as a resource for you where and when you need us.
I am so proud to be a steward of the work that our organizations do to support our communities, and I encourage you to learn more and get involved in any way you can. Whether you’re volunteering, hosting a food drive, or advocating for our work, please let this serve as a reminder that your support directly impacts the lives of all the people and organizations in the Food Bank community.
Learn more about neighbors helping neighbors on SHIM’s Latest News page.
