As we all prepare for the holidays with friends and family, buying gifts, decorating, and planning holiday meals, other families throughout the Pittsburgh area are facing food insecurity and monetary hardships.
According to a report by the USDA, the number of food-insecure households was on the rise in 2023, up to 13.5%, up from 12.8% in 2022. With 1 in 5 children not knowing where their next meal is coming from, the need for food assistance becomes even more critical during this time of year.
Financial stress affects families year-round, becoming a more intense issue for them during the holiday season. Money is critical for gifts, decorations, and meals on holidays. Many families in the area are left to choose between daily meals or holiday celebrations.
This is why, at the Center for Hope, we are preparing for the holidays by gathering food and other donations that can help families in need have a blessed holiday season.
At the Center for Hope, we provide a range of initiatives that help to alleviate the financial stress families in need face and allow them to enjoy the holidays. These initiatives include:
Food baskets- Churches provide generous food baskets or tote bags full of food for struggling families.
Gift cards- We are part of the KDKA Turkey Fund and very grateful to be included this special program.
Hungry Kids Snack Bags continue to be distributed. We hit a record of over 3000 in October!!
Providing support to families in need not only helps make their holiday special but also provides a profound emotional and psychological impact. With less stress surrounding finances, gifts, and food, we can help increase the joy these families experience throughout the holidays while helping to reduce the anxiety that they often face.
The holidays should be a magical time, especially for children. With your support and generous donations, we are to help children experience the joy of the season, blessing them with a good experience that helps contribute to their overall well-being.
Our holiday initiatives are rooted in Christ’s teachings of love and generosity, which serve to bring our community together and create a strong network of support for local families.
When you join hands with us and support our mission, you are actively participating in restoring dignity and driving transformation in our community. Whether you volunteer, make a financial donation, or help spread the word about the Center of Hope, you are playing a crucial role in making a positive impact on local families. Community involvement is the key to our success.
Shelf stable kids snacks such as applesauce cups, shelf stable milk, cereal cups, pretzels, inividual soups, etc. All donations must be small so that they fit in a small paper bag.
Packages of cookie mix – These are given to kids so that they can go home and bake Christmas cookies with their famillies.
Donations serve as the backbone of the Center for Hope’s hunger initiatives. These funds ensure that our holiday programs run smoothly, reaching as many people as possible. Financial support also allows for expanding services and introducing new initiatives beyond the holidays that further combat hunger in innovative ways.
Your generosity during the holidays translates to full plates at holiday meals, magical Christmas mornings for children, and a community lifted up in hope.
Supporting the Center for Hope is not only rewarding; it’s easy to do! There are several ways you can contribute:
Online Donations: Donate securely through our website, where you can set up one-time or recurring contributions.
For in-kind donations and further inquiries, please contact us. Keep an eye out for upcoming events on our website and social media channels, where you can help make a profound impact on your community.
Community support, especially during the holiday, is crucial for supporting local families in need while helping us grow and sustain our initiatives. Together, we can create holiday magic for children in the community and help families obtain the nutrition and support they need.
Invite your friends and family to join in on our mission to share in the spirit of giving this holiday season by sharing our donation appeal across your networks. With your voice and support, you can raise awareness and inspire others to help the Center for Hope this holiday season.
The Center for Hope’s holiday initiatives provide families with the food and other items they need to make their holiday celebrations special. Beyond the holidays, we offer a range of critical programs to families in need, and with your help, we can continue to sustain and expand these programs.
Join us in creating holiday magic for local families by visiting our website and learning how you can get involved!
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and support our community in any way we can.
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Contact Center for Hope Today