Mission Committee - November 2025

Got Food?

If you are reading this, you most likely do have food in your refrigerator and your pantry. We've all certainly noticed increased food prices and many of us have adjusted by changing our habits, eating out less, and seeking sales on frequently used items. But for many of our neighbors, these adjustments just are not enough. Come November 1, more than 200,000 people in Southwestern PA will no longer be receiving Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) funds due to the federal government budget stalemate. Food pantries here and elsewhere are sounding the alarm. Many will be hungry.

What is your church doing?

Food insecurity has long been a mission focus for Bower Hill Community Church. For many years we have made financial contributions to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and to South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM). We've also planted and harvested a garden with the produce being delivered to SHIM for their food pantry.

We have become increasingly involved with the Carnegie community, in partnership with Carnegie Presbyterian Church's New Hope Worship Center. Since September, we utilize the BHCC kitchen to prepare 50 carryout meals each month for those in need in the Carnegie area. Meals are transported to the New Hope Worship Center where they are distributed. We also purchase food items to stock the Carnegie Free Fridge, located outside of St. John's Lutheran Church on Route 50 in Carnegie. The fridge will soon be closing up as cold weather arrives, and will not be a source of food for the neighbors until next spring. BHCC is working with Carnegie Pres and St. John's to explore ways in which the fridge could remain outside, even in freezing weather. Stay tuned. . . .

We continue to provide shelf-stable food items for the Unity Presbyterian Church food pantry in Greentree. A labeled bin is located in the hallway outside the church office for your donations. Our donations are collected on the second Sunday of the month and delivered to the church.

What could you do?

You could be involved in any of the church's efforts described above. If your time is short, and your cooking skills non-existent, select another way to be supportive. Write a check -- to the church to support our food insecurity efforts - or directly to any of the many nonprofit organizations that are working on this issue. Are you or your child having a birthday party? How about instead of -- or in addition to -- birthday gifts for the party person, ask guests to bring some non-perishable food item(s) that you will take to a local pantry. Be attentive, for maybe there is someone you know who is struggling with food insecurity. Think about ways in which you might help out.

Expressing your view to elected Members of Congress is also an action you might take. It's easy. Just go to your legislator's website and there is a section in which you may leave your comments. These are challenging times for many, many people. Let us be sensitive to the needs of those around us and help in whatever ways we can.

The Mission Committee discusses and plans ways to address food insecurity and many other community needs. If you are interested in joining the Committee your contributions would be most welcome.