RCAC Collecting Toys, Food to Distribute to Needy Families this Holiday Season

The Riverview Community Action Corp. is asking for donations to help those in need.

The Riverview Community Action Corp. in Oakmont is hoping to help needy families in Oakmont and Verona this holiday season. The organization once again is asking for toy and food donations to distribute to families in need. Lynn Verratti, information officer for RCAC, said a previous donor is unable to help this year, so it's important for the community to pitch in to help local families. Anyone who needs help can call Verratti at 412-828-1062 to request food or toys this season—it is required to live in Oakmont or Verona. The food pantry is open all year. Verratti said members hope to distribute toys to families on Dec. 17 this year. RCAC also will be hosting a line dancing Christmas show on Friday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. admission is free, …

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Verner Elementary School Students Hold Thanksgiving Food Drive

The school's student council organized the food drive to benefit the Verona United Methodist Church food pantry.

Verner Elementary School Student Council held a Thanksgiving food drive for the Verona United Methodist Church's food pantry. Each family was asked to donate five canned goods/nonperishable items. In celebration of the students' great efforts to support community members, they will go to school today, Nov. 23, dressed in pajamas. Happy Thanksgiving from the students at Verner Elementary.

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Plum Council Notebook: October Voting Meeting

Here's a roundup of items discussed at the Oct. 10 Plum Council meeting.

Here are some of the items discussed at the Plum Council voting meeting this month: Lynn Ann Drive Property Plum Council is considering waiving some delinquent taxes for a property on Lynn Ann Drive. An offer has been made for 120 Lynn Ann Drive, which was demolished and now is vacant—it was acquired by a bank. There is $8,152 worth of delinquent taxes on the property, however, someone interested in developing the land has offered to buy the property and pay 20 percent on the dollar of the owed taxes. Councilman Charles McMeekin said it might be the best thing to do rather than letting the land stay vacant. Councilman Keith Nowalk said he's afraid if the borough allows it, then a can of worms will be opened. Mayor Richard Hrivnak was …

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Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project Brings Donations to Food Pantry Services

A North Side woman is changing lives with a simple bag.

Sue Kerr is using the power of social media and the simple donation of a tote bag to bring dignity, respect and convenience to people who use food pantries across the Pittsburgh region. In July 2009, Kerr of the North Side was working as a social worker when she took a trip with a group of clients to the Duquesne food bank. What she witnessed that day spawned the Pittsburgh Tote Project, which now brings in tote bags for food pantry shoppers all over the city. “I hadn’t been there in awhile so I was observing,” she said of the trip. “What struck me was how a little less than a third of the people there had arrived with suitcases on wheels, laundry tubs, back packs and all sorts of rugged hardy things to carry the food in.” Others had …

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Looking on the Light Side

Volunteering: What a Selfish Thing to Do

Volunteering not only helps others, but helps you feel good about yourself and your accomplishment.

Every year I write up a gift-giving list. It has the usual suspects on it with blank lines next to their names to start. What did my husband say he needed six months ago? What on Earth should I get my dad? What kind of jewelry doesn't my mom have? It's my son's first Christmas — what does a baby want for Christmas? It's difficult and stressful sometimes to figure out what to get the people in our lives for the holiday, isn't it? What about people you don't know who need something more important than that calendar you get your parents every year? Well, that's easy. This year, I wanted to give to my community. I feel I have so much, including a wonderful community in which to live, but, what could little ol' me give? It didn't take long to …

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