Helping Hands Across Westmoreland opens food pantry in Greensburg

A food pantry opened in Greensburg this year with the goal of helping senior citizens in need across the community.

Christ’s Cupboard, an initiative by the faith-based nonprofit Helping Hands Across Westmoreland, opened in July.

Volunteers at the food pantry, at 213 S. Maple Ave. in Greensburg, compile a bag of food consisting of nonperishable items such as peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, breakfast bars, cereal and more that senior citizens can pick up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays.

“I’m really blessed to be able to give back,” said Kimberly Horrell, founder of Helping Hands. “I’m very grateful. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while.”

Horrell became motivated to start the nonprofit after running for prothonotary in 2017. During her campaign, she volunteered at several events, inspiring her to found Helping Hands Across Westmoreland after she ultimately lost the race. The nonprofit was officially founded in 2018.

Since the nonprofit began, its volunteers have helped several county residents and organizations by serving veterans in Jeannette a spaghetti dinner and wrapping presents for children who have lost a parent serving in the military, among others.

As time went on, Horrell decided she wanted to help combat food insecurity in the county.

“We are all facing challenging times in our world today, and I want to be part of a positive approach where kindness, compassion and hope is extended to our neighbors,” Horrell said in a news release. “We’re here not only to help stock pantries, but to also provide a place for people to feel part of a community.”

Christ’s Cupboard is open to senior citizens. When the pantry first opened, the organization sent postcards to those living in Penn Towers, Pershing Square and the Troutman Building Apartments, Horrell said. Volunteers recently sent out mailers to part of the city’s Fifth Ward to see if families were interested in coming to the pantry.

“It’s going really well so far,” Horrell said.

Those interested in donating to the pantry can take food to the Greensburg location during operating hours on Saturdays. In addition, the organization has an Amazon Wishlist.

“We’re excited to be here, and we encourage people if they want to be part of this,” Horrell said.