City leaders to help feed people in need at Light of Life Rescue Mission
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For the 70th year, Light of Life Rescue Mission helped feed those in need this holiday, distributing over 1,000 Thanksgiving meals.
The volunteers started showing up at 3:00 a.m. Thursday morning to prepare over 100 turkeys, 750 pounds of green beans, 256 quarts of gravy and 150 pumpkin pie's. totaling over 1,000 free Thanksgiving meals for those in need.
Though, Light of Life is no stranger to this annual event, this is their second year serving from their facility on the North Shore.
Doug Smith, the director of Development at Light of Life, says that this year the need in Pittsburgh is greater than ever before.
"Homelessness has been increasing for the entire year, shelters are at capacity again, people are just in need and there is all kinds of things that have gone into that. And specifically thinking through Thanksgiving today, one in every seven people faces food insecurity. So, to be able to provide a meal for an organization for someone in need or a family in need on Thanksgiving is really really important to us," Smith said.
Many volunteers were on-hand to help distribute meals Thursday including Steelers great Craig Wolfley, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, who said that giving back to the community means everything to him.
"Every year, we come here and we serve the people. And I think it is about how we give back and also deposit love into the city. That's what I think it's about. Showing people that we care. The only way you can show people that you care, if you're actions show. You can talk about it all day. But when you are out here and actually doing, shows people you care," Mayor Gainey said.
Volunteer opportunities at Light of Life Rescue Mission are daily and if you would like to get involved, you can visit this link.
