Have a Heart

Written by: Kate Snyder, Executive Assistant

February 14th is just around the corner and while I personally confess to being rather fond of the arrow-wielding cherub and all his entourage, that date has a different significance here at EECM. The 14th of February is the kickoff to our annual Have a Heart for Hunger Campaign.

What’s that, you say? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Each year, between February 14th and March 30th, we invite our fellow Pittsburghers to take an active role in the fight against hunger. During that month and a half, our member congregations take up special offerings, community and religious groups hold food drives or participate in charity walks, and everyone works to raise awareness about the devastating effects of hunger on the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community.

The need is great. Between the men in our homeless shelter, the individuals who come through for soup at lunch time, and our elderly Meals on Wheels clients, we provide meals to more than 200 people each day. Our Food Pantry has the unfortunate distinction of being the busiest in Allegheny County, providing emergency groceries to more than 450 families each month. These are all individuals for whom the phrase “I’m starving” isn’t just a hackneyed cliché, unthinkingly repeated into insignificance, but a very frightening and very real possibility.

Over the next weeks, we’ll be featuring blog articles highlighting how you can get involved in the Have a Heart for Hunger Campaign and showcasing the efforts of our friends and supporters as they fight with us to ensure that all the residents of the East End have food on their tables and hope in their lives.