By SHIM Operations Coordinator Josh Anderegg
I am passionate about helping people through efficient food sourcing and delivery. In my role at South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM), I support our food pantry operations through logistic coordination. I oversee food deliveries, which have increased to more than 150 households per month, and I oversee food transport from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and between our multiple pantry locations. I also help set up pantries and work directly with clients and volunteers.
I wasn’t always involved in nonprofits. I started my career in retail management in New York City before transitioning to banking in 2008. As you may recall, that wasn’t a good time to be in banking, so I went back to school to get my degree and ended up in advertising. Even this field proved to be unstable, and when my daughter was born, I became the stay-at-home parent.
Like many new parents, my wife and I decided to return to her native city to be closer to family. We were also looking for more affordable housing after living in Long Island, NY for years. While many Pittsburghers seem to find their way home, I was actually the driving force in our move. Even though I’m from outside of Atlanta, I love Pittsburgh and was excited to move here! The city has richly diverse neighborhoods and a great food scene. I also appreciate that the sports teams all share team colors, and the sports fans are enthusiastic without being over the top.
When we first moved to Pittsburgh, I worked at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in a few roles, including as a Green Grocer. I drove a produce truck to food desserts and provided nutritious offerings to 20 neighborhoods. Each day, we’d load 1,000+ pounds of food into the truck and do 3-4 markets per day. We took cash, credit, debit, and EBT cards (Electronic Benefits Transfer for government assistance programs), focusing on lessening barriers to healthy food for the people we served. Even through the coronavirus pandemic, we continued operating outdoors and even developed a delivery program.
When the Green Grocer program sunset, I found a new job at the National Grocer’s Association Foundation, a nonprofit supporting independent grocers. I worked on technical assistance and encouraged grocery store owners to design programs that supported smooth EBT experiences.
When the funding for this program shifted, I decided to look for a new job. While I searched, I became a volunteer at SHIM, working within the food pantries. I’d heard about SHIM through family friends, and I was impressed by the leadership of basic needs director Molly Penderville and basic needs coordinator Kyla Ross. After volunteering for several months, several times per week, the operations coordinator job opened and I applied.
I’ve been surprised by the number and commitment of volunteers at SHIM. Our volunteers treat their tasks as seriously as a full-time job. They’re here to work, not just fill an afternoon, and they are engaged in helping things run smoothly for all the people relying on the pantries. Here at SHIM, there is a deliberate feeling of inclusivity and our volunteers radiate warmth and compassion.
I personally experienced financial hardship, but the stigma of needing assistance kept me from seeking help. Now that I’m part of SHIM’s team of neighbors helping neighbors, I focus on reducing barriers and prioritizing dignity. Fresh and healthy food is a human right, and SHIM’s shopping model helps offer choices and lessen the differences between getting food for free and paying for it.
SHIM continues to invest in making food more accessible. We recently installed refrigerated food lockers to enable off-hour food pickups. I’m excited to utilize this new technology to increase access to nutritious food for South Hills families facing hunger.
We’re living through a time where social supports are crumbling, and many more people need help. Grocery stores and restaurants rely on agencies like 412 Food Rescue and SHIM to help them manage excess food. At the same time, these partnerships feed households in need. This mutually beneficial network is at risk. If SHIM wasn’t here, families facing food insecurity would face barriers accessing resources. As we navigate a new landscape where 10,000 kids in the South Hills qualify for free and reduced-cost lunches, I’m grateful to be part of a social service safety net supporting local families. Now more than ever, caring for our neighbors is vital to sustaining a strong community.
Join us in support by hosting a food drive, volunteering, or making a donation.
Read more stories at shimcares.org/latest-news.
