Community Impact

The Junior League of Pittsburgh is working toward securing food access for households living below the poverty line in the East End of Pittsburgh.


                                                                                    *JLP definition of East End of Pittsburgh depicted in Green and Purple

Childhood hunger, which results from lack of access to adequate nutrition, is being addressed in communities and schools across the country. The Junior League of Pittsburgh is strategizing to expand food access that aims to improve the availability of healthy food locally. Strengthening the capacity of schools to offer healthy meals is essential as children receive most of their nutrition in cafeterias and vending machines. An overhaul of policies, programs and infrastructure is necessary to effect measurable change.

Statistics show that over 16 million children in the U.S. struggle with hunger. Learn about who is affected by hunger, what federal assistance and relief programs are available, how resources such as food pantries, community kitchens and shelters are serving those who need them. You can learn more on how the city of Pittsburgh statistically stands below.

An alarming number of Pittsburgh children are going hungry.

  • 20 percent of Pittsburgh children are food insecure, meaning they don’t know when or where their next meal is coming from
  • 47 percent of Pittsburgh children live in food deserts where they lack access to fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Nearly half of all Pittsburgh families receiving government assistance have children in their homes
  • 1 in 5 children in Allegheny County are food insecure

Childhood hunger has lasting effects. Children who are hungry are:

  • 2 times MORE likely to suffer from ADHD
  • 3 times MORE likely to be suspended from school
  • 2 times MORE likely to require special education
  • 3 times MORE likely to experience poor health

Backpack programs help fill a need for hungry children.

  • Free breakfast and lunches at school are often the only meals that kids receive, leaving them hungry on the weekends.
  • Teachers report worse behavior from students on Mondays due to not eating over the weekend.
  • Backpack programs give kids the food they need to keep them nourished over the weekends and ready to tackle school on Monday morning.