Food & Tote Drive Kicks Off Today

Concepts Management has joined the local food and tote bag , , as a drop off spot for residents who want to get involved.

The business, located at 2400 Ardmore Blvd., suite 302, learned about the Tote Bag Project online after the staff had a surplus of more than 200 tote bags.

“We had all of these tote bags and thought, ‘What do we do with these?’” said Kelly Zoller, who works at Concepts. “I was so happy I could get rid of these tote bags and not throw them away.”

Zoller said the business wanted to get involved in the drive as a holiday project.

“We like charity and helping a good cause,” she said.

Beginning today, anyone can join the drive by finding their old tote bags and filling them with nonperishable items—all of which will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.

Food banks across the country are struggling to help those in need, so this is a chance for all of us to do what we can right here in our own communities. With the rising cost of peanut butter, that is one item that the local food bank needs most. The drive, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project, is ongoing through Dec. 18.

While Concepts Management is the most convenient location for our Forest Hills residents, those closer to Regent Square can take their donations to . You also have the option of purchasing a bag of dog food to add to your people food!

At the same time, we want you to play a key role in spreading the word and encouraging your neighbors to help. Be a social media hero and tweet when your bags are ready to be donated! (Give us a shout out @ForestHPatch!) Also, tweet @Tote4Pgh and @pghfoodbank.

Post it on Facebook and share this link as well. Our hashtag for this project is #ForestHPatchGives—while you can also use the #smhero hashtag as well, encouraging others to become a social media hero!

Not a big social media person? Email me at Stephanie.Rex@Patch.com and let us know when you donate so we can keep track of our progress!
Together, we can make a big difference. Let’s do this!

Here is a list of the items that are most needed at the food bank:

• Peanut butter
• Cans of tuna and salmon
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• High-fiber cereals
• Beans, pasta
• Chili, stews and soup
• Fruit and vegetable juices

For more information, visit www.conceptsmanage.com or www.animalnature.net. Concepts Management office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Animal Nature is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.