Food Assistance Available

Though many businesses and churches have been required to close, help with groceries is still available! During this fifth week of the community’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, organizations like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Lutheran Service Society / Meals On Wheels continue to operate as essential businesses.

We encourage you to find the help you need through available resources. Below are some of the many ways you can get help with food:

Sign up for the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). SNAP is designed to help individuals and families make ends meet by providing money to purchase groceries. The Food Bank has staff to help you through the application process. Income guidelines for this program are located here. You can fill out the SNAP Referral Form on the website, call 1-833-822-SNAP (7627) or text SNAPPA to 555-888.

Find a food pantry in your area that can provide help with free groceries. While Monaca UMC’s food pantry is currently closed, UPDATE: Food assistance is once again available from Monaca UMC’s food pantry. Please call us at (724) 775-6702 or (724) 462-3387 to arrange a pick-up time.

You also may be eligible to get groceries from a pantry affiliated with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. If you earn an income that is 150% of the federal poverty level, or if you are experiencing an emergency such as job loss, the Food Bank can help. Using just your zip code, the Food Bank’s digital locator tool helps you find a pantry near you. Income guidelines for using the Food Bank’s pantry network and the locator tool are located here.

Children can get free meals from schools and other community programs. Central Valley School District is providing grab-and-go meals to all district children under 18. Find more information on the school district’s website. For children in other school districts, see this list that the Food Bank is making available.

Sign up for Meals On Wheels for the short-term or for an indefinite period of time. Meals On Wheels continues to deliver meals throughout Beaver County to make sure residents have proper nutrition each week. As we shelter in place, more of us qualify for this valuable program. Meals On Wheels is not limited by income, and adults of any age can enroll. Some modifications have been made to deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic to further the safety of those delivering and receiving meals.

If you need emergency food, please contact us. You can also call the Food Bank at (412) 460-3663 or Meals On Wheels at (724) 503-5880 with questions about their programs or to figure out the best way they can support you.