Blog

Our blog highlights stories that demonstrate the mission of the Bread of Life Food Pantry as well as the goals we have to provide food and other basic needs to our fellow community members. We also enjoy using our blog to spotlight our dedicated volunteers and others who help make the pantry a success. Finally, seasonal donation events such as Christmas toy drives are listed here as a way to raise public awareness and engagement.

If you have a story you'd like to see posted to our blog, please contact us.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Donates Paper Products

The Bread of Life Food Pantry would like to thank Amy Jewitt and her colleagues at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for their generous donations of paper products given to the pantry in January. These items, including paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper, are often in low supply at the pantry but very much needed by shoppers that come to Bread of Life for food and other basic needs. Donations of additional paper products and other much-needed items can be purchased fo

Amy Jewitt

4 hours ago1 min read

Critical Winter Food & Basic Needs for Bread of Life Pantry

The following list features items the pantry is currently most in need of. These are items that can be difficult for the pantry to obtain or are in critical short supply. As you are able, please give generously to support those in need. Thank you! Ways to Give: Purchase items and drop off at the pantry ( view our address and drop off dates/times ) Shop our Amazon Wishlist ; all items purchased will be shipped to the pantry Make a one-time or monthly financial gift to Bread o

Amy Jewitt

5 days ago1 min read

Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna Strives to Provide More Than Just Food

Shaler Area students collected a record number of items during annual drive. Written by Carlie Franz and published by TribLive on January 12, 2026. View original article here . Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. The entrance to the Bread of Life Food Pantry at Calvert Memorial Church is along Locust Street in Etna. (Courtesy of

Amy Jewitt

5 days ago5 min read

2,000+ Items Collected by Shaler HS Students for Canned Food Drive

In early November, Shaler Area High School (SAHS) held a canned food drive with the goal of collecting 1,157 items — representing one item for every student enrolled at SAHS. The school not only exceeded their goal, but also beat last year's total, collecting 2,305 items to benefit the Bread of Life Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone who donated and for your outpouring of generosity!

Amy Jewitt

Nov 12, 20251 min read

Help Needed Now for SNAP Beneficiaries in Allegheny County

Friends of Bread of Life Food Pantry, We need your help. As of October 16, 2025, an estimated 162,000 people in Allegheny County will not receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is a result of budget issues at the federal and state government levels. As a result, the Bread of Life Food Pantry anticipates an increase in the number of families using our pantry to meet their basic needs for food. You can help. Donate dollars directly at

Amy Jewitt

Nov 3, 20251 min read