With SNAP benefits disrupted by the federal shutdown—at the same time that food banks are stretched thin and Thanksgiving is approaching—my office is serving as a food drop-off site. If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable food items, which we will deliver weekly to food banks and pantries in our area. Stop by any weekday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at my Cheswick office at 1296 Pittsburgh St.

I helped out this week at food banks for Allegheny Valley Association of Churches AVAC and Feeding The Flock Ministries, which are bracing to serve unprecedented numbers of hungry people. If you are interested in helping out at this critical time, my office has compiled a list of several food banks in our district, and if you know of an organization that provides assistance, please let us know so we can add it to our list.

• Lower Valley Community Food Bank, Springdale, (724)274-0867
• Feeding the Flock Ministries, Cheswick, (724)410-7941
• Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, Natrona Heights, (724)226-0606
• Sharpsburg Food Pantry, (412)781-2866
• Forged in Faith Church Food Bank, Russellton, (724)230-6009
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Drive-up, Tarentum, (412)460-3663