The Northside Food Pantry is open to everyone. There are no eligibility requirements and no zip code restrictions. Any individual can walk in and shop freely. If you're unable to visit during regular hours, emergency assistance is available by appointment. Special dietary needs are accommodated when possible.
Each household can shop once per week to keep things fair for everyone. Food is distributed to one registered household at a time, not by individual.
Each visit provides a week's worth of groceries for your household. Meat is offered every week, though in smaller amounts so more families can get what they need.
The pantry stocks a full week of groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, canned goods, and boxed and bagged nonperishable items. Staples like peanut butter, pasta sauce, and soup are regularly available.
The Northside Food Pantry is a client-choice pantry. You browse the shelves and pick your own items, with volunteers on hand to help you along the way.
A Drop-In Center is open Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis (capped at 10 people). It offers showers (women 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and men 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.), laundry, a light lunch and snacks, coffee and water, and a warm place to rest. Housing assistance is also available.
The Free Store is open to the community Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (shelter residents can use it 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.). Everything is completely free, including clothing, hygiene products, household goods, and winter essentials like blankets and outerwear. Each visit is limited to 5 clothing items and 5 non-clothing items.
Food donations are always welcome, especially peanut butter, pasta sauce, soup, laundry detergent, paper towels, and bathroom tissue. All canned and boxed nonperishable items are in demand. To organize a food drive, call (412) 323-1163 or email ncmfoodpantry@goodwillswpa.org. You can also shop directly from the pantry's Amazon wishlist or Walmart wishlist to send specific items. To give money online, visit the donation page. You can also contribute through United Way at designated number 1476.
Volunteers are welcome throughout the week. On Mondays, the team unloads the weekly food truck delivery from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (shift is 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.). On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, volunteers restock shelves and support shoppers during pantry hours (shift is 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Help is also needed in the Free Store to sort donations. To sign up, visit the volunteer registration page, call (412) 323-1163, or email info@ncmin.org.
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