October 30, 2025

Dear Shaler Area Families,

We want to make you aware of an important update that may affect some members of our community. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that, because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) may be temporarily paused starting in November.

SNAP helps families buy groceries using an EBT card, similar to a debit card, at grocery stores and local markets. While October benefits have already been issued, there may not be funding available for November if the shutdown continues. Across Pennsylvania, food insecurity has increased in recent years, and this pause could make things more difficult for many families.

Local Support Available
Shaler Area Backpack Initiative
This program provides weekend food bags for students in grades K–12 who may need extra support. Each Friday, families receive a bag filled with child-friendly snacks and easy-to-prepare meals. There are no eligibility requirements—just complete the short online registration form here: https://forms.gle/zHrC8hcWqCrcRMuB6.

From November 4-14, the district will begin accepting donations for the Shaler Area Backpack Initiative. We are respectfully asking community members and local businesses to contribute to this worthy cause. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children across the Shaler Area community.

Donations can be dropped off at any Shaler Area school building, Central Administration Offices (1800 Mt. Royal Blvd, Glenshaw, PA 15116) and Ruckus Cafe (1707 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15209). For a complete list of items needed, please click here.

All food items should be single-serve, shelf-stable, and non-perishable.

Additional Locations
Christ Lutheran Church Foodbank: Located at 917 Evergreen Ave, Millvale
Millvale Community Food Pantry: Located at 414 Grant Avenue, Millvale

Millvale Free Fridge & Free Pantry: The Millvale Free Fridge is located behind the Millvale Community Library at 213 Grant Avenue, Millvale, PA 15209. The Millvale Free Pantry has also recently moved to the same location. Both are open to the public 24 hours a day, allowing anyone to take or leave food and basic necessities as needed.

North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) Food Pantry: The NHCO Food Pantry serves families across the North Hills, including Shaler Area residents, and operates from multiple sites:

• Millvale Community Center – 416 Lincoln Avenue, 2nd Floor (call 412-482-6316 ext. 3144) (Third Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
• Allison Park Location – 1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101( 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesdays)

For the most current schedule, visit www.nhco.org, email help@nhco.org, or call 412-487-6316.

North Hills Christina Church: Located at 778 Thompson Run, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.  Family Food Bags with non-perishable pantry items weekly and fresh produce once a month. Distribution will be Mondays from 5-6pm. No registration is required.

The Bread of Life Food Pantry: Located at 94 Locust Avenue, Etna, the Bread of Life Pantry provides fresh and non-perishable food, cleaning products, and personal hygiene items to individuals and families in Etna Borough and Shaler Township. You can learn more at https://www.breadoflifeetna.org.

Additional Food Resources
If you or someone you know needs extra help, please explore these options:

• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank “Find Food” Tool: https://findfood.pittsburghfoodbank.org – Search for nearby food distributions by ZIP code.
• Feeding Pennsylvania: https://www.feedingpa.org – Find food banks across the state.
• PA Navigate: https://panavigate.pa.gov – Access local emergency food and benefit resources.
• Call 2-1-1 to connect with local support services.

We know this situation can be stressful, and we want every family to know that you are not alone. If your family is facing food challenges or needs additional support, please reach out to your school social worker or counselor. They can connect you confidentially with community resources and programs to help meet your family’s needs.

Thank you for being such an important part of our caring Shaler Area community. Together, we will continue to support one another and ensure that every child has what they need to thrive.

Regards,

Dr. Bryan O’Black

Superintendent of Schools