‘It’s Just Pittsburgh Being Pittsburgh’

PIT and food bank volunteers hand out more than 1,600 boxes of food in airport parking lots

By Bob Kerlik

Published April 23, 2020

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Volunteers loaded more than 1,600 boxes of food Wednesday into hundreds of cars as Pittsburgh International Airport opened its parking lots for one the region’s largest-ever food distribution events.

Airport officials offered its parking lots to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for the event while travel—and parking—has plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janice Millerschoen-Jenkins, of Robinson Township, Pa., and her dog arrived several hours early for the event to ensure her place in line.

“I think it’s wonderful. It’s just Pittsburgh being Pittsburgh,” she said.

Food bank and airport volunteers loaded 10 lines of cars at a time. In order to minimize contact and keep social distancing policies, attendees stayed in their cars and popped the trunk, while volunteers placed two 25-pound boxes of food inside.

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an integral part of the community. Our facilities will always be used to help the region—and now, with traffic down and large, quiet spaces available, we are finding new ways to serve,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis.

The event last from 1 to 3 p.m. with cars lining up before 10 a.m. A video of the event can be found here.