Highlands Family Center to offer free food distribution in Tarentum

Fresh fruits and veggies will fill the parking lot near Highlands Family Center in Tarentum on Aug. 30, and the goodies are all up for grabs.

No income requirement is necessary to participate in the free food distribution hosted by the Family Center and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

“There’s definitely a lot of people in need, and food donations have gone down,” said Jeannie Dennis, Family Center site director.

“Any way we can bring a resource in for families is helpful.”

The distribution is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Central Presbyterian Church, 415 E. Fourth Ave.

“People can walk through and pick what they want,” Dennis said.

The event is not limited to Tarentum residents.

According to the Community Food Bank, there is a 12% food insecurity rate in Allegheny County as of 2021. For children, the number grows to 16.5%.

The food bank distributed more than 17 million meals in 2021 to help families who struggle.

The free event in Tarentum will be a companion to the food bank’s drive-up distribution hosted at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer. That giveaway is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.

Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf said he encourages all residents “to consider how they can support the initiative and work together to make our community a stronger, more inclusive place.”

The Aug. 30 event will help meet the needs of residents and is especially helpful for those without transportation, he said.

Run by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, the Highlands Family Center offers free services that include a diaper bank, home visits, field trips, parent groups and addiction recovery.

There are 80 enrolled families, but the center is used by many more from across Allegheny County and portions of Westmoreland County.

Dennis said the center hosted a similar event in June and called it a whopping success. More than 125 families were served in about two hours.

“Everything went,” she said.

Tables at the upcoming event will be brimming with peppers, onions, apples and lettuce. People can take as much produce as they want, Dennis said.

“We’ll even give you a bag,” she said.

Participants also will be given a dozen eggs, a container of milk and a package of meat.

If it is a successful turnout, another date likely will be scheduled.

No registration is required. Only names and addresses will be taken for record-keeping.

“Community food drives play an essential role in our municipality,” Boddorf said. “They address food insecurity and promote community solidarity.

“This can enhance our borough’s overall quality of life and social cohesion.”