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Battling childhood hunger

Giving2Grow continues charitable donations

By Paul Paterra 5 min read
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Giving2Grow has supported a number of agencies since its inception, such as the Fayette County Community Action Association (FCCAA). Among its many initiatives, FCCAA offers programs that increase both access to healthy and fresh food, and education on how families can achieve a healthy diet on a limited budget.
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Giving2Grow has supported a number of agencies since its inception, such as the Fayette County Community Action Association (FCCAA). Among its many initiatives, FCCAA offers programs that increase both access to healthy and fresh food, and education on how families can achieve a healthy diet on a limited budget.

A nonprofit organization with its roots in the South Hills is raising money to help fight childhood hunger and food insecurity in seven counties.

Giving2Grow donates funds to organizations in Washington, Greene, Fayette, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Westmoreland counties.

Giving2Grow sprouted from modest roots. Founder Jennifer McDowell, a Mt. Lebanon native, heard about the concept of giving circles from out-of-state friends and was surprised to learn there were none in Pittsburgh.

“A giving circle is just a group of donors who share a passion to make a difference in some particular way,” said Debbie Schneider, Giving2Grow president. “They pool their funds and make larger contributions to good causes that they choose. The size of that contribution will have more impact than anybody’s individual contribution would have. Our shared passion is childhood hunger.”

After two years of planning, and the formation of a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, Giving2Grow was launched with an open organizational meeting in 2013. Twenty-eight women attended – about twice the expected turnout. In 2014, the group had grown to 61 members and now boasts 146. Schneider, of Mt. Lebanon, noted that members who haven’t paid their dues for the year are not included, so the actual number may eclipse 160.

In that time, Giving2Grow has donated $563,747 to 23 organizations. In 2024, $64,400 was contributed to service providers that include Fayette County Community Action Agency and the Carnegie Elementary School.

Organizations that have been recipients in previous years include East End United Community Center in Uniontown, Whitehall Presbyterian Church Food4Kids, LeMoyne Community Center in Washington and South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM).

“A lot of these organizations, particularly the smaller or newer ones, I would have never heard of if I hadn’t been part of Giving2Grow,” Schneider said. “It’s just so gratifying to get familiar with these organizations, to make a small, but sometimes a large difference in what they’re able to do. Sometimes, we’re the only funding a particular program receives.”

Some of the programs include food pantries and after-school and summer programs that provide not only food but safe havens for at-risk children.

Membership dues make up the primary funding source. Members are asked to donate $150 as an entry level contribution, but more or even less can be donated.

“We distribute every penny of dues received throughout the year,” Schneider said. “We try to make it clear that we would like people to give $500 or more if they can.”

Any organization in the seven counties can submit an application by the July 31 deadline. Grant committee members review all applications and identify those with programs most closely aligned with the organization’s mission. Active members vote in December to determine who will receive funding.

One of the previous recipients is the Free Store at Carnegie Elementary School, which was created by two teachers to alleviate hunger experienced by many of the school’s students. Giving2Grow was the only donor to the effort in its first year.

“You’re absolutely blown away when you talk to these people,” said Coleen Vuono, a site visit committee chair. “It’s not like teachers don’t have other things to do, but they also volunteer to run this free store. There’s a lot of work involved. So, you come away with this feeling that there are people out there doing amazing things to help the children. That’s what keeps us involved and loving what we do to help.”

Vuono, a Donora native who lives in Mt. Lebanon, said she has been involved for almost three years. Once she heard about the organization and its mission, she was hooked.

“I thought this was something I really wanted to be involved in,” she said. “I’m retired now. I have some time and I want to give back. I feel very strongly about childhood food insecurity. I think it’s appalling that in our country that we even have to have a group like this. When we’re all afraid of government spending being cut and children not getting the funding to provide food for them, that makes me feel like I’m in the right organization at the right time. All children have the right to food. To me, it’s become a passion.”

Applicants may request up to $10,000 a year. They can apply and receive grants for three years, but must then sit out for two years.

“That ensures that they don’t become too dependent on Giving2Grow and there’s room for new applicants,” Schneider said. “We’ve had several organizations that have done the three-year on, two-year off cycle and come back, often with slightly different programs. It’s really interesting to see these organizations evolve and develop.”

Schneider said 17 organizations submitted applications for grants this year.

“My first review of these organizations shows there’s some exciting opportunities there to make a difference,” she said.

Giving2Grow is always looking for new members. For more information, visit the organization’s website at giving2grow.org.

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