By ERIC SEIVERLING
The Washington County Community Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Greater Washington County Food Bank to purchase shelf-stable protein for distribution to more than 2,800 Washington County clients served by the food bank.
“This grant is the perfect complement to the fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery items, canned product, and other grocery items we provide to our clients on a monthly basis,” said Connie Burd, executive director of the Greater Washington County Food Bank. “Protein is typically the most expensive item we purchase, but it is vitally important to providing a balanced and nutritious diet.
“This grant will enable us to include two cans of protein in each client’s monthly food box for an entire year. Protein items will include canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, etc., and will be purchased in bulk to obtain the best prices.”
The foundation said the grant is being made from the WCCF’s Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund, created in March. According to the foundation, all grants from the fund were made possible by contributions from donors who responded to the foundation’s appeal for financial support during COVID-19.
Washington County Commissioners voted last month to provide the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank with funding typically designated to the Washington County organization, with a goal to better serve residents across the county as some pantries have closed.
The Pittsburgh organization will supplement the program in Washington County.
“With the pandemic we knew that food insecurity would be a significant and ongoing need in Washington County,” said Betsie Trew, president and CEO of WCCF. “We wanted to help the food bank to prepare for the increased need so the very first grant we issued from our Close to Home Fund was to the food bank to purchase packing supplies needed for the food bank’s new delivery system, Truck to Trunk. Subsequent grants were issued to the food bank to purchase food and to cover increased operational costs during the pandemic.”
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