Food Podcast: The nicest Grinch in Pittsburgh
On the latest episode of the Food Podcast presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union on the TribLIVE podcast network, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank meets the nicest Grinch in the ‘Burgh.
Whoville isn’t the only town with a famous Grinch! In fact, Pittsburgh’s Grinch has a huge heart for helping to solve hunger in his community.
Isaac Bernstein is a 16-year-old from Upper Saint Clair who decided he wanted to do something to help after seeing so many people without homes asking for food on the streets of Pittsburgh. So he decided to dress up as a holiday figure and do personalized visits and activities for families in exchange for a donation to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
This year, he’s going green as the beloved Mr. Grinch.
“I created this idea around the holidays as a Jewish kid, that I could help others spread holiday joy and help the food bank and get meals to people who may have a hard time getting them around this time,” said Bernstein.
While he’s spending this winter season as the Grinch to raise money, it’s not his first time getting creative to raise money for the Food Bank.
In Spring 2020, Bernstein started dressing up as the Easter Bunny. From photoshoots, hiding Easter eggs at homes and even reading books to kids online, the visits were so popular, the teen was able to raise enough money for 5,500 meals.
He says he’s already booked 41 visits as the Grinch and believes the community can help raise just as much during the winter season.
“I’m hoping as a community we can raise enough for maybe 6,000 meals. There’s no set goal, I just know the goodness in our community will shine through.”
Bernstein said his advice is to tap into your own passions and use them to give back where you can.
“Just getting the word out and contributing what you can. Everyone is unique. If you’re an artist, you can use art to help. There’s really no limit,” said Bernstein.
To donate or learn more about the Food Bank, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.