Working in conjunction with Pittsburgh International Airport, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (the Food Bank) held an emergency drive-up food distribution at the parking lots of the airport on Wednesday, April 22. The organizations had capacity to serve 1,500 vehicles through this two-hour event.
As airport parking lots are left vacant from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) this week turned itself into one of the largest ever emergency food banks in the region. The large-scale food distribution operation that happened yesterday was the first-ever for a major airport.
On Wednesday, April 22 from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m., the emergency drive-up distribution provided approximately 75,000 pounds of food to the Pittsburgh region. Hundreds of vehicles attended the food drive, held on the parking lots at Pittsburgh International Airport.
“Pittsburgh International Airport is an integral part of the community. Our facilities will always be used to help the region – and now, with traffic down and large, quiet spaces available, we are finding new ways to serve,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “We are proud to partner with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for this event.”
For everyone’s safety, only those attending the event in a vehicle were served, no walk-ups were permitted. Allegheny County Police assisted the organizations with traffic control.
Those who need food assistance, but do not have access to a vehicle should visit the Food Bank’s website at pittsburghfoodbank.org/gethelp for information on opportunities for help, including a map of food pantries, meals for children and SNAP (food stamps) application assistance.
“The airport is an ideal location,” said Lisa Scales, president & CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
A full schedule of upcoming distributions; information on volunteer opportunities; and a comprehensive list and map of what schools and community organizations are doing to feed children while schools are closed are available on the Food Bank’s website at pittsburghfoodbank.org/covid19.