To Expand Access for South Hills Families
Bethel Park, Pa. – South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) has installed 16 new temperature-controlled food lockers at the SHIM Center in Bethel Park, creating a more flexible and discrete way for neighbors to access fresh, frozen and shelf-stable food outside of traditional food pantry hours.
The locker system is designed for families who cannot reach SHIM’s pantries during regular distribution times due to work schedules, childcare responsibilities, transportation challenges or health concerns. With the new system, families receive a unique access code and can pick up pre-packed food orders at times that work best for them, including evenings and weekends.
“Too many of our neighbors are doing everything right—working multiple jobs, caring for children or aging parents—and still struggling to put food on the table,” said Jim Guffey, executive director of SHIM. “These food lockers give families the flexibility and privacy they need to get help on their own schedule. It’s another way we’re working to ensure that everyone in the South Hills has access to healthy food, when they need it.”
SHIM’s food pantries have seen steady growth in recent years, particularly among working families and single parents who can’t always attend daytime distributions. That demand is expected to climb further in 2026 as federal SNAP eligibility requirements tighten, putting additional pressure on local food-assistance providers. The locker system is part of SHIM’s strategy to modernize food access and reduce barriers for those who may otherwise go without.
The new 16-door modular system includes compartments that can function as refrigerators, freezers or controlled-ambient units, with temperatures that can be monitored and adjusted remotely to ensure food safety and quality.
The project was funded through the generosity of SHIM donors, including major support from the Fred and Shirley Jordan Foundation and the United Way of Southwestern PA Falk Facilities and Technology Improvement Fund, as well as three individual donors whose contributions helped close the funding gap and move the project forward quickly.
The lockers were installed in late November and are now fully operational. In the coming months, SHIM’s Basic Needs team will continue to integrate the lockers into pantry operations, with plans to:
- Conduct targeted outreach to families who have reported difficulty attending pantry hours
- Prioritize working households, single parents, and seniors
- Track utilization, temperature data, and client feedback to measure impact
Media Availability
SHIM staff will offer media availability by appointment at the SHIM Center in Bethel Park to demonstrate how the new lockers work, explain how families will use them, and discuss the broader impact on food access in the South Hills.
Contact Rachel at rwhite@shimcares.org or 412-854-9120 x112 to schedule a visit.
