PRESS RELEASE –
Pittsburgh, PA
Heritage Community Initiatives announced today that they have granted 550 free rider cards to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, allowing neighbors in need unlimited access to Heritage Community Transportation’s fixed-route service, which covers 16 communities throughout East Pittsburgh.
“Access to reliable transportation continues to be a hurdle for the families that we serve,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “Heritage’s community-focused transit program already includes multiple food assistance locations on its current route, so this partnership was a natural extension of the services that both nonprofits provide to those in need. Now families will not only gain easier access to food, but also access to many other resources included on Heritage’s transit system.”
The program is scheduled to run for three months, at which point an extension will be considered based on the success of the program. Over the last 22 years, Heritage Community Transportation has provided 1.5 million rides on its fixed-route transit system that runs through 16 communities, affording riders access to work, healthcare and shopping for only $0.25 a ride.
“For nearly four decades, Heritage has served under-resourced families in 40 communities within Eastern Allegheny Counties through vital education, transportation and nutrition programs,” said Heritage president and CEO, Paula McWilliams. “Heritage is privileged to serve over 100,000 meals every year via our Nutrition Services Program, and we consider it an honor to continue our long-standing relationship with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the phenomenal work they do on behalf of our region.”
Rider cards are available now at select Food Bank network agencies and distribution events.
About Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that distributes food for more than 45 million meals annually across 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania through a network of more than 850 agencies, partners and programs. The Food Bank was founded in 1980 and is a member of Feeding America, the leading domestic hunger-relief charity in the U.S. For more information on hunger in our region or how to get involved, visit pittsburgh foodbank.org.
About Heritage Community Initiatives
For nearly 40 years, Heritage Community Initiatives has been dedicated to making a positive impact on the social mobility of thousands of individuals, families and children through pragmatic programming in Transportation, Education and Nutrition. From our hometown in Braddock, PA, Heritage is privileged to be a cornerstone for those who are under-resourced in 40 communities throughout Eastern Allegheny County. Each year, Heritage provides highly accredited academically-based early learning and out-of-school time programming for over 300 at-risk children. Heritage Community Transportation, an affordable fixed-route transit service in operation for 20 years, has provided more than 1.5 million rides for residents in largely transit-isolated communities. Heritage is the only human services nonprofit in the Commonwealth designated as a provider of public transportation, and its rides are offered at only $0.25 a ride. Additionally, more than 100,000 meals are served each year by our Nutrition Services, which offers solutions in meal planning, ordering, preparation and delivery while creating healthy options for youth and senior populations. For more information on our services and how to get involved, visit heritageserves.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marissa Luznar
mluznar@premoconsultants.com
412-327-8441