About Our Organization
The Bread of Life Food Pantry seeks to bring a measure of love and peace through sharing food and other resources with those in need. We see in our neighbors the face of God and act with resolve to ensure their basic needs are met. Our team of two full-time staff, a board of directors, and many volunteers strive to provide food security for seniors, disabled individuals, the unemployed, and the underemployed that reside in Etna Borough and Shaler Township.
We utilize donations from local supermarkets, restaurants, churches, businesses, foundations, and individual donors to help feed our neighbors and end their struggle to put nutritional food on their tables. We endeavor to serve our neighbors in need by improving their food security, utilizing the local food system to meet this need, advancing nutritional health and wellness, slowing the waste of foodstuffs, and strengthening our community by improving quality of life through the food safety net of the pantry.
Affiliation with Greater
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
The Bread of Life Food Pantry is a certified member agency of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB) and meets all the requirements and expectations of the organization. We agree to the standards of safe food handling, meeting food safety training and certification requirements, and are monitored on an annual basis by the GPCFB.
Our pantry utilizes the GPCFB's FreshTrak client record management system, a cloud-based system that simplifies the client registration process and works to prevent duplication of services in our area. It also provides data on families who utilize services provided by the pantry. This information remains confidential and aids the pantry in planning its fight against hunger and its ability to improve the lives of the individuals and families served in the local community.
Did You Know?
In 2021, the Bread of Life Food Pantry served 1,354 families. This accounted for 2,519 individuals who were given food and basic needs including 242 veterans, 530 disabled individuals, and 740 senior citizens (60+ years old).
Who We Serve
We serve individuals and families with a household income at or near the poverty level.
Nearly half of the families we assist are headed by someone who is disabled.
Ten percent of families served by our pantry are headed by someone who works part-time.
Another ten percent of families we assist are headed by someone who is unemployed.
Almost one fourth of people served by our pantry are retirees in need.
Each month our pantry provides basic needs to an estimated 120 families facing food insecurity in our region.