Cars line up for emergency food distribution outside PPG Paints Arena

PITTSBURGH — The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is working with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Public Safety to help families in need.

Cars lined up Friday outside PPG Paints Arena to pick up boxed meals. Distribution lasts until 1 p.m.

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The past few weeks, drive-up food distribution has created large amounts of traffic. To combat this, the food bank had all vehicles enter the parking lots from Centre Avenue.

Officials told Channel 11 News they believed this would be the biggest food distribution drive they have had so far -- serving more cars than any of the previous five events.

“We thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for their support during this critical time of need in our community,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “We’re proud to partner with them for this distribution and grateful for their help with ensuring all of our neighbors in need of food assistance are able to get it.”

RAW: Food bank distribution at PPG Paints Arena RAW: Food bank distribution at PPG Paints Arena

“The Pittsburgh Penguins and PPG Paints Arena have always supported Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and are proud to assist them in the great work they are doing during this unprecedented time of need,” said David Morehouse, president and CEO of the Penguins.

The food bank had the following safety tips:

• For everyone’s safety and to maintain the 6-foot social distancing guidelines, individuals must stay in their cars at all times except to use the provided outdoor restroom facilities. Leaving cars to socialize is prohibited.
• After pulling up to the distribution area, please put the car in park and then unlock the trunk or back seat for food to be loaded. For everyone’s safety, volunteers will not be able to load food into the cars until they are in park.
• To maintain social distancing, when food is being loaded into the car, please do not get out of the car.
• Stay alert and follow the guidance of Food Bank staff and police as they direct cars through the distribution area.

Each car got two boxes of dry, shelf-stable food regardless of the number of people or families in the car. According to the food bank, this is enough for more than 40 meals. According to the food bank there were enough boxes for 1,300 vehicles.

People who are not in vehicles will not be served, and those who don’t have access to a vehicle can visit the food bank’s website for a map of food pantries, meals for children and SNAP assistance.

A full schedule of upcoming distributions, information on volunteer opportunities, and a comprehensive list and map of what schools and community organizations are doing to feed children while schools are closed are available on the Food Bank’s website at pittsburghfoodbank.org/covid19.

Pittsburgh food bank holding emergency drive-up distribution Monday Pittsburgh food bank holding emergency drive-up distribution Monday

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