In 2020-21, after losing my full-time job and facing the pandemic mid-divorce, my family needed SNAP assistance to survive. While I continued working a part-time freelancing gig while searching vigorously for a full-time job, at least I didn’t have the additional worry about how my kids were going to eat.
Now, according to the most recent Federal Reserve Economic Data report, approximately 162,000 Allegheny County residents receive SNAP benefits, about 35% of whom are children. The sudden loss of SNAP benefits will put more pressure on families to afford groceries and increase demand on already-strained food banks and charities. Families may have to choose between paying for food and other necessities. Food banks and pantries are bracing for a surge in demand, which is particularly challenging because they are also dealing with decreased federal and state funding.
The silver lining in all this, while it’s quite thin, is that we are a city of neighbors. Just after the announcement on Oct. 17 that Pa. was losing SNAP funding for the month of November, local advocates such as former Mayor of Braddock, Chardae Jones, and 1Hood Power began posting lists of free food resources in Pittsburgh, including local organizations, churches, and free markets. These food assistance sites offer support and dignity to anyone in need, no questions asked.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of every resource in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas that I could find online. These resources include pantries, free fridges, food banks, and free grocery programs by neighborhood or region. Be sure to check operating hours before visiting, as some schedules vary by season or month. Please email me directly if you know of additional resources or if any of these resources have changed.
East End & Wilkinsburg
East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM)
6140 Station St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
EECM’s food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. They also offer a free, hot Community Lunch and seating in their dining room Monday through Friday from noon-1 p.m.
eecm.org 412-361-5549
St. Mary Magdalene Parish Food Pantry
723 Rebecca Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
3rd Saturday of every month from 9-11 a.m.
Offers pantry goods and home delivery for East End residents. 412-661-7222
Mount Ararat Community Activity Center Food Bank
745 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Every second Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Partnered with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Catholic Community of Bloomfield Food Pantry
4921 Mend Way, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
Food distribution is on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 7-10 a.m. for residents in the 15224 zip code.
bloomfieldpantry@yahoo.com, 412-578-5923
Squirrel Hill Food Pantry
828 Hazelwood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1:30-2:45 p.m.
pantry@jfcspgh.org, 412-421-2708
Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM)
702 Wood St., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tuesday from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
WCM also offers a mobile pantry, which serves several sites:
https://wcm15221.org/home-wilkinsburg-community-ministry/wilkinsburg-community-programs
wcm15221.org, 412-241-8072
Wilkinsburg Mobile Food Pantry (Community Forge)
Community Forge Playground, 1256 Franklin Ave., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Every Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
In addition to the mobile food pantry, Community Forge runs an Emergency Pantry. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1256 Franklin Ave.
The emergency pantry offers food, baby products (diapers, formula, wipes), period hygiene and reproductive health supplies, and harm reduction supplies.
Recipients of the emergency pantry will need to click the “CF Pantry” on the Community Forge directory to be let in. For more information, people can contact CFEMTeam@forge.community, or 412-501-2055 EXT 4
The community-run pantry is in partnership with Cure Violence East and WCM. bethany@forge.community 412-501-2055
Wilkinsburg Thursday Market – Produce Distribution
The Wilkinsburg Thursday Market (a program of the Greater Wilkinsburg Advancement Association) is hosting a produce distribution on Thursday, November 6, from 4-6 p.m. in the Harold Young Sr. Parklet (739 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221). They will have locally-grown produce available for free of charge. No registration required. This market uses a pay-what-you-can, no questions asked model and does not ask for ID or income information.
They will host another produce distribution on Saturday, November 22, at 11 a.m. ahead of Thanksgiving.
South Side & South Hills
Brashear Association Food Pantry
2005 Sarah St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Every second and fourth Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Serving South Side residents. 412-431-2236
Jubilee Soup Kitchen & Pantry
2005 Wyandotte St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Daily meals at 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m.; Pantry Wednesdays, 9:30–11 a.m.
Hot meals served daily, plus weekly groceries. 412-261-5417
South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)
2601 South Park Rd, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Distributes food to South Hills families and supports immigrant communities. Pantry hours vary. Below is the updated schedule for November:
shimcares.org, 412-854-9120
Brentwood Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
Brentwood, PA
Third Saturday of each month, 9-11 a.m.
In partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. pittsburghfoodbank.org/gethelp
Mt. Lebanon Municipal Office – Free Little Pantry
710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, inside the municipal building lobby
The building is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information can be found here: https://lebomag.com/free-little-pantry-now-open/
North Side & North Hills
Light of Life Rescue Mission
Light of Life Rescue Mission’s Food Pantry is available to everyone in Allegheny County and is located on the North Side at the Mission’s Outreach Center (720 E. Lacock Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212). They offer weekly distributions on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
lightoflife.org, 412-258-6100
Northside Common Ministries Food Pantry
1601 Brighton Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Provides emergency food, housing (to male-identifying persons only), and ID assistance for people from any Zip Code. 412-323-1163
North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO)
1975 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park, PA 15101
Appointment-based pantry, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Serves northern Allegheny County residents with food and utility assistance. nhco.org 412-487-6316
Additional NHCO Sites/Services:
Allison Park – First three Tuesdays of the month
North Boroughs – First three Thursdays of the month
Millvale – Third Wednesday of the Month
NHCO pantry dates, along with locations, are listed here:
https://www.nhco.org/food-pantry
North Hills Christian Church Family Food Distribution
778 Thompson Run Rd., Glenshaw
Registration is required; all are welcome. Mondays, 5-6 p.m.
Hiland Presbyterian Church – North Hills Food Bank
The North Hills Food Bank, located on the Hiland Campus at, has been serving the North Hills, Ross, and West View communities for over twenty-five years and works in cooperation with nine other local churches. Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
There is also a blessing box located outside the church where donations, including shelf-stable foods, toiletries, and hygiene products, may be donated or accessed 24/7.
845 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
hilandchurch.org/mission/hands-on, 412-364-9000
The Millvale Free Fridge and Pantry
Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Ave., Millvale.
Both the free fridge and pantry are accessible to the public 24 hours a day. The fridge is stocked with fresh and frozen groceries and meals from community members and local food partners, including 412 Food Rescue, the Gardens of Millvale, Sprezzatura, Lemon Tree Coffee, Abielle Voyante Tea Co., and more.
Brighton Heights Free Fridge
Behind New Life Family Worship Center at Brighton, Davis & Shadeland Avenues
A 24/7 community fridge and pantry stocked by neighbors. Listed on Google Maps as Bright Heights Freedge: 1301 Davis Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
Bread of Life Pantry, Etna
Community-based food pantry serving Etna and the surrounding river communities.
Sewickley Food Pantry
15 Chadwick St., Sewickley, PA 15143
The Pantry is open to all in the following zip codes: 15143, 15056, and 15108!
Typically open every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., they are expanding their hours for November 2025, adding Monday, Nov. 24, from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., and 6:30-8 p.m. as pantry distribution times.
You may visit the pantry once or twice a month when it’s open. No financial information required; transactions are confidential.
info@sewickleycommunitycenter.com, 412-741-5430
West View Hub & Ridgewood Church Pantry
West View, Bellevue, and Ross Township
Local pantries offering groceries and essentials for the north suburbs.
Cranberry & Zelienople
Help Your Neighbor – Victory Family Church
129 McCarrell Lane, Zelienople, PA 16063
Drive-through distribution hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or schedule a pick-up from 4–9 p.m.
https://myvfc.info/cards/0106-food-distribution
Oakland, Hill District & Central Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. (PCSI) Food Pantry
249 North Craig St., North Oakland
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; open until 8 p.m. Thursdays (Sept.-Dec.)
Provides groceries and healthy recipes. Walk-ins welcome once per month. pghcsi.org/food-pantry-nutrition-support 412-904-4700
Community Human Services (CHS)
370 Lawn St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Wednesdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays 3-6 p.m. (rear entrance)
CCRiP Food Distro
Community Care & Resistance in Pittsburgh hosts multiple weekly outdoor distributions:
Sundays, 12 p.m. Unity Recovery (801 Bingham St) and 1:30 p.m. at 2nd Ave Commons (700 2nd Ave.)
Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. outside Allegheny County Jail (950 2nd Ave)
Instagram: @ccrip_outreach
Duquesne & Mon Valley
The Market at Duquesne
1 N. Linden St., Duquesne, PA 15110
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays/Thursdays 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
A free grocery store where folks can register and shop with volunteer assistance.
Duquesne Food Pantry (Pittsburgh Area Community Schools)
Duquesne City School District
Contact: Alexis Thomas, athomas@pghareacs.org
St. Paul A.M.E. Church Food Pantry
1350 Locust St., McKeesport, PA 15132
Every second and fourth Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free produce, dry goods, and meats; no income requirements.
Monroeville & Eastern Suburbs
Cross Roads Presbyterian Food Pantry
Monroeville
crossroadspresbyterian.com/food-pantry.html
Garden City Food Pantry & Community Fridge
Monroeville
Reclamation Community Center
Monroeville
reclamationcommunitycenter.org
Gateway Pop-Up Pantry
Gateway High School, Monroeville
2nd Wednesday of each month: drive-up, no ID required.
Distributes produce, milk, eggs, and premade foods.
Monroeville Free Pantry (Little Pantry Project)
Community Park West, behind the gazebo on the trail.
A new volunteer-stocked pantry is available to the public.
Penn Hills & Verona
Penn Hills Library Community Fridge
1037 Stotler Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at 11 a.m.
Fresh produce, milk, and eggs are available, and there is no registration or income limit. pennhillslibrary.org/community-fridge
Rosedale Food Pantry
Serves Verona and Penn Hills residents. rosedalefoodpantry.org
Sharpsburg & Nearby Communities
Second Harvest Thrift Community Fridge
Sharpsburg
secondharvestthrift.com/community-fridge
Offers free food and community resources.
Dormont & South Boroughs
Dormont Free Pantry
This community pantry at 1444 Hillsdale Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 is open on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6-7 p.m. and the second and fourth Sundays from 2-3 p.m.
Living Stones
Living Stones is a non-profit serving the South Boroughs communities of the greater Pittsburgh area. Living Stones serves a hot buffet four Sundays a month as well as a free breakfast and lunch once a month.
www.livingstonespgh.com, 724-513-9061
Coraopolis
Coraopolis Community Development Corporation (CCDC)
The CCDC food pantry provides food to residents in the 15108 zip code, Neville Island, Groveton, and Crescent Township.
Typically, they offer pantry services on the first and third Sundays of each month. They also offer a “Snack Pack” program to supply children with weekend food, and they maintain a community garden.
info@corycdc.org, 412-329-7660
Braddock and Rankin
Greater Valley Community Services
300 Holland Ave., Braddock, PA 15104
1st Thursday of the month
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
North Braddock Free Fridge
609 6th St., North Braddock, PA 15104
Updated often
Always accepting donations
Unity Baptist Church
420 5th Street
Braddock, PA 15104
3rd Saturday 8 a.m.–11 a.m.
Bridge City Church
1200 Wolfe Ave, North, Braddock, PA 15104
1st & 3rd Saturday
9 a.m.–11 a.m.
Rankin Christian Center
230 Third Ave. Rankin, PA 15104
2nd Wednesday
10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Holliday Memorial AME Church
600 Talbot Ave., Braddock, PA 15104
Most Fridays — on the table outside
Citywide Programs
City of Pittsburgh Police Zone Thanksgiving Meal Program
Free Thanksgiving meals for anyone living within city limits. Meals are delivered on Thanksgiving Day. Sign up at your local police zone station.
Steel City Food Not Bombs
Steel City Food Not Bombs distributes free food plus clothes, toiletries, and hygiene products at multiple locations across Pittsburgh. Their food distribution sites and schedule can be found at www.pghfoodnotbombs.org.
25FortyPgh
The 25FortyPgh Mini Food Pantry Program is a grassroots, community-powered effort to fight local food insecurity. Each pantry provides 24/7 access to nonperishable food and essentials, whether you’re in need or looking for a way to give back. Neighbors can help neighbors.
Use the map on their website, 25fortypgh.org/mini-food-pantries, to find the closest mini pantry.
Additional Resources
Allegheny County, October 31, 2025 – Today, state Senator Wayne Fontana announced that his Senate office will be organizing a food drive starting next week to benefit those who could lose federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance tomorrow.
There are two ways people can participate.
- Individuals can make an online donation that will go directly to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide up to three meals for the children, families, and seniors it serves across Southwestern PA.
- Items can be donated in person at Sen. Fontana’s district office in Kennedy Township, located in Kenmawr Plaza at 500 Pine Hollow Road.
Donations will be accepted Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. through Thursday, November 20. Please note the office is closed for Election Day on Tuesday, November 4, and for Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11.
The most needed items are:
- Canned fruits packed in 100% juice
- Low sodium/no salt added canned vegetables
- Low sodium/no salt added canned beans and soup
- Canned tuna or chicken packed in water
- Whole-grain cereal, oats and pasta
- Peanut butter
- Household items
- Hygiene items
- Diapers
- Any other nonperishable product is appreciated and can help fight hunger during these difficult times.
Any questions or for more information on the food drive, please contact Sen. Fontana’s Kennedy Township office at 412-331-1208.
The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank also maintains a running list of food distribution sites and programs in the area: pittsburghfoodbank.org/find-food/get-help
In addition to these resources, WXPI recently published a guide to food pantries and soup kitchens around the Pittsburgh area.
Online Resources for Community Help:
www.findhelp.org
www.pa211.org/food-resources
www.bigburgh.com/#/services/all/pantries-supplies
www.412foodrescue.org
How to Help
If you’re able, consider donating to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank since they are able to buy in bulk and stretch their food purchasing dollars further. Consider volunteering at a neighborhood pantry or soup kitchen, or getting involved with mutual aid, either by offering food or offering to pick up food for those who are unable to drive. Small recurring donations help local nonprofits plan for the future and keep these vital resources running.
The North Hills Food Bank at 845 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229, is always in need of donations from the community. Drop off an item of food, organize a food drive, or consider a financial gift. Phone: 412-366-7477. You can drop your items off at church on Sunday mornings or at the Food Bank on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.–1:45 p.m. The Food Bank also has a box located just outside its door where you can place donations during non-operation hours.
Please reach out to me directly if you know of any additional resources or any changes that need to be made to this page. The aim is for this to be a living, comprehensive document that can be used as a community resource during this difficult time.
This article appears in Oct. 22-28, 2025.
