Hunger Action Month With The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project

September is the official "Hunger Action" month designated by Feeding America to raise awareness about the impact of hunger in our communities and dozens of local organizations are responding to their growing concern among our neighbors.

The latest data indicates that 1 in 7 Pennsylvania residents are 'food insecure' or essentially not sure that they will have enough food to meet their basic health and nutrition needs each day. These include seniors living on fixed incomes, children and working adults whose income does not keep pace with expenses and the rising prices of food. Many of these families turn to a local food pantry to stretch their food dollars.

Our project collects new & gently used tote bags for the food pantries to distribute instead of disposable bags. To date, we've collected nearly 19,000 bags to distribute in a 12 county region.  We invite you to join dozens of your neighbors taking action during September to raise awareness and fight hunger. 

The full list of Pittsburgh Tote Project events during September Hunger Action Month. :

 Sept. 8 - Women's Walk for Peace (Northside)  10 am – 1 pm

Sept. 13 – BlogMob – gathing of bloggers at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for tour and discussion 5 – 7:30 pm

Sept 21. - Park(ing) Day Pittsburgh (Downtown/Toonseum) –  8 am – 4 pm

Sept. 22 - Maker's Faire (Northside) -  9 am – 3 pm

Sept. 23 - Harvest Festival East End Coop (East End Food Co-op)  12 – 4 pm

Sept. 25-28 - Canstruction Tote Bag Drive (Downtown)

Sept. 27 - Hunger Action Happy Hour (Toonseum) 5 – 7:30 pm

Sept 28 – Food Truck Friday Tote Bag Drive - Strip District 10 AM – 3 PM

Sept. 28 - WYEP Member Tote Drive (Schenley Plaza) 7 – 11 pm

Sept. 29 - Allegheny County Green Festival (Hartwood Acres) 10 am – 4 pm

We’ve partnered with dozens of organizations in the region to incorporate tote bag drives as tools to raise awareness about hunger and inspire people to take action. 

Corporate sponsors include Concepts Management of Forest Hills, The Toonseum, Duquesne Light, 4C Foods, SnapSac and other companies who have pledged bags to help the project reach its goal of collecting 5,000 tote bags during September. Sponsors will be recognized at the Hunger Action Happy Hour on September 27, hosted by The Toonseum.

Tote4Pgh collects bags through permanent drop-off spots, formal tote bag drives and by partnering with corporations and companies to redirect their excess bags and other “swag” items. There are currently 16 permanent drop-off spots. The project hopes to open a 17th location in Carnegie during September. State Representative Jake Wheatley’s constituent office in the Hill District will serve as a temporary drop-off throughout September as will State Representative Martin Schmotzer’s office in the South Hills.

It is not too late for your family, group or coworkers to get involved! You can organize a simple tote bag drive, volunteer for an event or simply spread the word about the impact of hunger in our community. 

Useful links to take action during September

Top Ten Grocery Items You Never Thought To Donate

Opportunities for Families and Children to Volunteer

Eight Unique Ways You Can Take Action To Fight Hunger

Please contact us @Tote4Pgh for more information!