Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

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  • Pittsburgh Area Charitable Groups Hand Out Turkeys To Help Those In Need Ahead Of Thanksgiving

    Originally published: 11/21/2021
    KDKA

    After Saturday, there are just five days until Thanksgiving and some families are still wondering how they are going to put food on their tables.

    Groups across the city handed out and self-delivered Thanksgiving meals to those in need on Saturday.

    About 1,000 families are getting thanksgiving meals today at the convention center. Families say it’s not only a blessing but without it, there might not be dinner on the table.

    Slowly but surely, the Thanksgiving meals went as fast as they came. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh sent out bags of goods to be distributed in neighborhoods and handed them out curbside to neighbors in need.

    “Thanksgiving is a time a feeling thankful and valued, connected and relations with family and there are a lot of people hungry on thanksgiving,” said Carlos T. Carter, President, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. “If you go back to not only meat but fresh vegetables, we give that out as well just so they can feel valued and know that they matter.”

    It’s Carter’s 8th day as president of the organization. as he’s talked to families, Janiece Clayton says without the meals and turkey gift cards there would be no thanksgiving meal.

    “I’m having a Thanksgiving meal,” said Janeice Clayton. “Turkey’s kind of expensive right now, I can buy a turkey now. I can gobble-gobble this year.”

    During this holiday season as so many families are in need, food giveaways are happening across the city like in Homewood where 500 turkeys are being handed out there.

    Jeannette Lee said it will help not only her family but others too because stretch money has been hard to come by in these struggling pandemic times.

    “It can be lined up as far as you having extra money for utilities, for rent,” said Lee. “It helps in so many areas to get food from the food bank and other places that provide free food for families.”

    “We know this is more than just a day but this day is special,” Carter said. “When you think about it as a person, thanksgiving has a lot of good memories, and a lot of people are hurting on thanksgiving, so we want them to know that somebody cares.”

    Carter said there will also be another giveaway for families come Christmas time.

    Here at KDKA, we also have a way that you can help our neighbors in need, with our annual Turkey Fund.

  • Urban League food distribution to help 900 families

    Urban League food distribution to help 900 families

    Originally published: 11/22/2021
    Pittsburgh Post Gazette

    Just as it’s done for some 15 years, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh hosted its annual Thanksgiving Day food distribution Saturday morning  — continuing a tradition of helping area families in need fill their bellies and feast in style for the holiday.

    “This is a great thing,” said Kahlil Morris, who was part of a steady stream of people driving SUVs, vans and small buses from area social service agencies that stopped by the cavernous Hall D at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to pick up the turkey day donations and distribute them to the people they serve.

    “It helps people who are less fortunate and fills the gap, especially with COVID and the loss of jobs,” said Mr. Kahlil, who is with Housing Opportunities Unlimited, a social services group based at the Oak Hill Apartments in the Hill District.

    O’Hara-based Giant Eagle was the primary donor for the event, contributing $15 vouchers for whole turkeys, plus non-perishable goods, such as boxed stuffing, applesauce, muffin mix, cake mix, apple juice and canned green beans packaged in reusable blue shopping bags donated by Ikea.

    In addition, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank provided boxes of fresh produce —  including carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, honeydew melon and a five-pound bag of white potatoes.

    In a tip to the times, the care packages also included masks and information on COVID-19 vaccines.

    Cindy Tuite, director of catering and special events for Manchester Bidwell Corp., said she’s seen a greater need for help this year from students at the non-profit’s Bidwell Training Center, a post-secondary job training program.

    This year, the organization picked up donations to feed the families of 60 students, up from about 40 in previous years.

    She said more people were struggling with job losses due to the pandemic.

    Volunteers donning masks and gloves from the Boy Scouts, Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy and others were on hand to help load the donations.

    In pre-pandemic years, the annual event included a health fair offering vision care, mammograms and flu shots. It also allowed individuals in need to pick up donations. Both services were suspended last year and this year.

    In the early years, the annual drive served roughly 100 to 200 families. This year’s donations are expected to help some 900 households.

  • Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh helps those in need get a Thanksgiving dinner

    Originally published: November 20, 2022
    Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh helps those in need get a Thanksgiving dinner – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – With Thanksgiving just days away, The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh wants to make sure that no family goes without a warm dinner.

    On Saturday, the group held its annual Thanksgiving dinner giveaway at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

    They said they’re prepared to help more than 900 families throughout southwestern Pennsylvania this year.

    “The Consumer Price Index went up eight percent, so that puts a burden on a lot of families that we serve,” said Carlos T. Carter, President, and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. “They can’t afford food, especially for Thanksgiving, so I think it’s a good opportunity to give love to people. To make sure they can have a great meal and they have opportunities to learn about their health.”

    Those who picked up their meals, they were also able to get a free health screening.

    The event was made possible through help from several community partners. They included the University of Pittsburgh, the United Way, The Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and others.

  • Urban League of Pittsburgh distributes Thanksgiving provisions to 900 local households

    Originally published: November 18, 2022
    Pittsburgh City Paper

    The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is working to ensure more than 900 households can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this holiday season, after a two-year program hiatus. Provisions in the form of food and a $15 Giant Eagle gift certificate will be given away on Nov. 19 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown.

    Recipients have been selected by the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and are participants in the organization’s programs and services, such as its Family Support Centers or its housing and rental programs.

    In collaboration with Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute, a Health and Human Service Village will also offer attendees health screenings. Mission Vision and Golden Dental will provide additional health services.

    Anyone not on the pre-selected list can still attend but are asked to arrive after 2:30 p.m.

    This event returns to in-person after a two-year hiatus. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh continues to practice COVID-19 safety protocol and asks participants to wear gloves and masks, as well as maintain social distancing practices while at the event.

    The Urban League’s program is made possible with help from organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, Highmark Wholecare, United Way 211, Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and corporations like IKEA and Giant Eagle.