The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has reported a significant rise in its distribution of meals, providing a record 53 million meals between July 2024 and July 2025. This uptick is underscored by a 5 million meal increase from the previous year and represents a substantial jump from the 40 million meals distributed during 2020, a period marked by the initial shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic. "These numbers serve as a wake-up call. Food insecurity isn’t just hitting close to home. It’s in our own homes. It’s in our neighbors’ kitchens. It’s in our schools," Lisa Scales, President and CEO of the food bank, expressed in a statement detailed by WPXI.
With an elevated demand in its 11-county service area, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's efforts have ramped up not only to address the hunger but also to reduce food waste. A reported 18 million pounds of fresh produce were distributed, and an impressive 20.5 million pounds of food that might have otherwise gone to landfills were rescued. Reflecting the breadth of this growing need, the Food Bank received over 15,500 direct calls for food assistance during this past fiscal year, as highlighted by an additional report released for Hunger Action Month cited by WTAE.
The increase in food insecurity touches the vulnerability of future generations, as evidenced by the assistance programs specifically targeted at children. Scales highlighted this concern, stating, "It’s our job to stand up to hunger and make sure our neighbors have the food they need to thrive in these financially strained times," according to a WPXI interview. The campaign to combat hunger among young people has recorded about 19,000 youths benefiting from meals received through backpack programs, school pantries, fresh markets, and onsite distributions.
