Washington County Commissioners return funding to county food bank

It was redirected to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank during the pandemic.

By the MVI

Washington County commissioners voted Thursday to return Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture funding for the State Food Purchase Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program to the Greater Washington County Food Bank.

Since 2020, approximately $350,000 in annual funding from the two programs has been administered through the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which procures food and distributes it to 27 food pantries and three drive-up distribution sites throughout Washington County.

The funding was shifted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when many local pantries were forced to close, and centralized distribution was needed to ensure residents continued receiving food assistance.

“I voted to make the change to Pittsburgh during the pandemic because we needed to reopen pantries and make food more accessible for residents who were relying on these programs to survive,” said Chairman Nick Sherman. “The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank was a valuable partner during a difficult time, but the long-term goal was always to return these resources to Washington County.

“Under new leadership, the Greater Washington County Food Bank has demonstrated its ability to serve our residents effectively, and it is important that donations and resources generated here directly benefit our local community.”

The change comes as the food bank continues to expand its impact across the county. Over the past year, the organization provided nearly eight million meals and served approximately 2,000 families and 1,600 seniors through its monthly food box programs.

In partnership with local businesses and community organizations, the food bank also operates the LittleMoochi Snack Pack Program, which helps combat childhood hunger by providing food assistance to approximately 10,000 students each month across 13 Washington County school districts.

“Since taking office, addressing food insecurity has been one of my top priorities,” Vice Chair Electra Janis said. “Through two fundraising efforts, I have raised $80,000 for the Greater Washington County Food Bank because no one in our community should have to go hungry. This change creates an opportunity for the Greater Washington County Food Bank to partner with local Walmart and Giant Eagle stores, helping ensure that donated food and charitable dollars stay here in Washington County.

“Currently, many donations are directed to Pittsburgh rather than serving our local residents. It’s important that the support generated in our community benefits the people who live here first,” The new contracts with Greater Washington County Food Bank will begin July 1 for SFPP and Oct. 1 for TEFAP.

“This action reverses the board’s controversial 2020 vote to take nearly $300,000 in federal and state funding from the Greater Washington County Food Bank and give it to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank,” Commissioner Larry Maggi said. “The reasoning at the time was that the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank would do a better job of managing these funds, coordinating services and providing for the local food-insecure citizens.”

At the time, Maggi opposed the action.

“Approximately five years ago I voted against moving this grant from the Greater Washington County Food Bank and I have since heard from people on both sides of the issue,” he said. “But at the end of the day I will always be in favor of maintaining local control over funding. I think the Greater Washington County Food Bank is fully capable of handling the task of food distribution and is better suited to identify Washington County’s needs. It is time to reverse that decision and give our financial funding and support back to Washington County.”