All Pittsburghers need access to healthy meals
Hunger remains a problem throughout our region, and we must all pitch in to help our neighbors, write MARK LATTERNER of Citizens Bank and the food bank’s LISA SCALES
Nearly one in seven people across southwestern Pennsylvania don’t know where their next meal will come from. Contrary to what many people believe, those who face food insecurity are not solely within the city limits of Pittsburgh. Hunger is spread across the state, in suburbs and cities, in rural areas and urban neighborhoods, in Greater Pittsburgh as well as the rest of the commonwealth.
And it’s not just Pennsylvania. A staggering number of Americans — some 41 million — struggle with access to food. Many individuals and families are living at or below the poverty line. Some are too sick to prepare their own meals. Others are living in “food deserts,” places that lack grocery stores or access to fresh foods. Hunger affects families and children in virtually all of our communities.
When people go through the day not knowing where their next meal will come from, their ability to succeed — mentally, physically, academically and economically — is severely diminished. These effects also lead to high levels of unemployment, financial troubles and chronic illnesses. According to Feeding America, one out of every six children struggles with hunger. As a result, these children often have difficulty learning, are sick more often and are prone to behavioral problems.
While poverty, income and demographics are factors tied to food insecurity and cannot be dealt with quickly, the need for immediate action remains clear: We must provide access to healthy meals to our most vulnerable neighbors. Doing so will go a long way to help people lead more productive lives.
That’s why Citizens Bank has partnered with Feeding America on a virtual food drive. A donation of just $1 can help provide 10 meals to those who are struggling with hunger.
Citizens is working with wonderful community partners like Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which operates a host of programs that help make a difference in our own backyard. One
that stands out for its innovative approach is the Green Grocer mobile farmers market. Each week, the Green Grocer truck travels to 14 neighborhoods known as “food deserts,” where healthful food is difficult to come by. Customers climb onto the truck to check out items such as fresh produce, frozen meats, milk, eggs, rice, beans and oats.
Unlike most food bank programs, Green Grocer aims to create access to fresh foods for entire communities that lack easy access to grocery stores rather than simply conducting free distributions designed solely for low-income individuals. Customers choose what kind of food they want to buy and then use cash, credit/ debit cards or SNAP to pay for it. Citizens Bank will match vouchers and SNAP payments to double customers’ buying power.
Paige Moody, who regularly shops at Green Grocer, said of the program, “We don’t have the grocery store luxury in town, which is really frustrating. So we can’t really get the fresh produce. So I try to get down here when Green Grocer is here. Otherwise I’m just buying what’s at the local stores, which isn’t that good.”
By offering fresh foods at an affordable price in communities where access is limited, Green Grocer helps ensure that all communities have access to fresh, healthy foods. Healthy meals not only fill up stomachs — they help those with health conditions heal, students to be well prepared to learn and adults to be successful at work.
We invite you to take action in ending hunger and recognizing the power of healthy meals in our communities by joining our Feeding America food drive. There’s a role every Pittsburgh-area resident can play. Through donations or volunteering at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or one of its nearly 400 member agencies across the region, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors in need, and send the message to those in greatest need that we care.
Mark Latterner is market president for Citizens Bank in Western Pennsylvania. Lisa Scales is president and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.