June 12, 2020
Thanks to a $5,000 grant from Protect PT, Feeding the Spirit will be able to sustain the hot meal distribution through the summer while FTS is unable to serve meals in the church fellowship hall setting. This is supported by the Heinz Endowments, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and others.
“We are humbled and encouraged by the outpouring of support of our community. We have seen an increase in need among our neighbors, and the additional funding we have received has enabled us to continue to meet the increased needs of those that have been directly affected by the pandemic, " Judy Knapp, Feeding the Spirit Board Member stated.
The funding, made available by Protect PT through the Ohio River Valley COVID-19 Response Fund of the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, targets local organizations working to provide crisis relief to individuals and families. With this funding, Feeding the Spirit will be able to provide over 100 hot meals weekly to those facing financial hardships and food insecurities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This grant will also help support local restaurants who have experienced loss of revenue during the recently lifted stay at home orders.
Another Feeding the Spirit board member, Lynn Wagner added, "When the restrictions began, we met together, virtually, as a board and came up with a plan to continue our weekly meal distribution by offering frozen take home meals. Sun Dawg Cafe joined in recruiting donations of hot meals from local restaurants. We had no idea the community would rally around us and offer donations and assistance to make our outreach stretch further. We are beyond grateful.”
The Ohio River Valley COVID-19 Response Fund of the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies has been made available for environmental groups working in the Ohio River Valley region. The fund allows those environmental groups to extend support to their communities and to local nonprofits who are responding to diverse and dynamic needs resulting from the global pandemic.
“Feeding the spirit is a special organization, serving the people of this community at their most vulnerable time, aiding them with food and shelter to help them maintain their dignity,” Gillian Graber, Executive Director of Protect PT said. “We are thrilled that they received this funding to continue their vital work.”
Protect Penn-Trafford is a citizen's group working to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life from the effects of unconventional gas development in Penn-Trafford and surrounding communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties. For more information about Protect PT, see www.protectpt.org or call 724-392-7023.
Feeding the Spirit is a grassroots non-profit organization working in the Westmoreland County area since November of 2011. The core of FTS’s mission is to address human crises and provide long-term solutions by reducing barriers to housing, employment and food security. With the beliefs that everyone has the right to safe shelter and nourishment with inherent worth and dignity, FTS strives to hear and attend to each person with respect and acceptance.
Feeding the Spirit can be contacted at 611 Southwest Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601, www.feedspirit.org and reached by phone at 724-757-2533.
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