Pittsburgh Food for Good

Food for Good provides food and meals to Pittsburgh based individuals and communities who face food insecurity, including those in disadvantaged communities. This service includes cooperation with restaurants and other food establishments and providers to provide them a source of income while preparing food for those in need.

Our Drive: As long time Pittsburgh area residents, we were concerned about the impact COVID-19 was having on both our residents and our restaurants, and so the three of us, Marc Olin, Jennifer Haven and Doug Cargnel joined together to form Pittsburgh Food for Good in late 2020. We have dual goals to help combat food insecurity and support our local restaurants. We raise funds to pay local restaurants to prepare meals for local organizations that distribute food to those in need. Our hope is to provide a helping hand for both local restaurants and residents of Pittsburgh in need.

Our Goals: To provide meals to underserved persons and communities, including those with special needs, disabilities and/or at-risk behaviors;
To provide restaurants and/or other food establishments and providers with funds to operate and to continue providing essential services;
To sponsor, host and/or participate in events and activities that end food insecurity.

Our Impact: 100% of funds collected are used to pay restaurants for the preparation of meals for those in need, as we have no staff or other overhead.
We served more than 400 restaurant quality meals a month in 2021 at four different community spaces: East End Cooperative Ministries, The Table, The Veterans' Place, and The Women's Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh . We have steadily increased capacity each year since, adding additional recurring meal services and single day deliveries to organizations such as PFLAG. We hope to serve 750 meals a month in 2025.

Testimonials

"The pandemic has affected so many people in our community. Our residents, our restaurants, our companies and our neighborhoods. Pittsburgh Food for Good is providing help for those who have been struck hard and EECM appreciates the meals that had previously been supplied by volunteers from partner organizations prior to the pandemic, but whom have not been able to be onsite as a result of both the vulnerable individuals we serve as well as their own vulnerabilities. This partnership with Pittsburgh Food for Good has provided wonderful meals for our residents and has provided local neighborhood restaurants with income during this difficult time. Thank you!"
~ Carole Bailey, President and CEO of East End Cooperative Ministries

"Thank you to Pittsburgh Food for Good who donated Friendship Perk and Brew this week! Pittsburgh Food for Good provides food and meals to Pittsburgh based individuals and communities who face food insecurity. This service includes cooperation with restaurants to provide them a source of income while preparing food for those in need. They brought lunches for our veterans to include sandwiches, chips, salads, and chocolate chunk cookies!! We are so grateful for our community & all the support we receive to continue carrying out our mission and vision."
- Veteran's Place, Washington Boulevard, Pittsburgh

"We think the PghFoodforGood project is a terrific and creative way to both help people with immediate needs and food insecurity while also supporting small local businesses during a difficult time."
~ Andrew Heffner, Bar Marco​