South Hills Living - July/Aug. 2026

south hills

4

St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry makes shopping easy for clients

8

Purr-fect place: Kitty Co. Cat Rescue opens new lounge

from the editor

Starting without knowing

12

The power of supporting local

south hills living

I just started something new. I was incredibly, irrationally nervous about it. I had never done anything close to this before, and I had no framework for how it might go. How might I feel? What's going to happen? Where will I be in a year as a result?

I am sure everyone can relate to these feelings in one way or another. We've all had a first day of school or an unknown medical procedure. We've all, if we drive, driven somewhere we've never visited before. What's parking going to be like? Is the area safe? And of course, there are life's biggest moments, like job loss, death of a loved one, moving and divorce. If we've never faced these before, they can feel insurmountable. Impossible. In the case of a huge loss, like we might never recover.

On the first day, someone told me that at one point, it was everyone's first day, and that brought me quite a bit of comfort. Everyone has walked this path in their own way. Sometimes it can feel like I am moving through life as if in an unending fog. Things feel just out of reach. It's something I work on, but I keep going.

Much of life can be spent navigating uncertainty. We usually don't get clarity before taking the next step. We make decisions with the information we have, trust ourselves as best we can and hope the path becomes easier as we move forward. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't. We step forward through the fog, sometimes not even being able to see where our foot will land. But even then, we learn something in the process.

Looking back, rarely have things unfolded exactly as I imagined they would, for better or worse. If you're in a season of uncertainty yourself, I hope you'll remember that you don't have to have everything figured out today. The next step is oftentimes enough. Then the one after that. Progress isn't always dramatic or obvious. It rarely is. Sometimes it's simply showing up.

As for me, I'm still at the beginning. I don't know exactly where this new endeavor will lead, but that's alright. Right now, I'm focusing on being present, staying curious and taking things one day at a time. That's enough.

As always, thanks so much for reading. If you have ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear from you. Email me at tthurston@observer-reporter.com or call me at 724-222-2200 ext. 2421. Take care, and see you in the next edition.

tthurston@observer-reporter.com

on the cover

Neuro ath Centers

Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers

St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry makes shopping easy for clients

by Michele Gillis

Food Pantry

Everyone who visits the St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry has their own story of struggle, pain, loss, sickness or lack of hope.

Debbie and Bob Labrosse’s struggle with health and family issues led them to a few food banks where, even though they had worked all their lives, people would yell at them to “get a job” as they were waiting in line to enter the food bank.

“I was mortified and bawling my eyes out,” said Debbie of the previous food banks.

“But, at St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry, you feel welcome with no judgment. The volunteers who greet you are kind. The shoppers who take you around are patient and helpful. These volunteers give their time, travel expenses and time away from their families to help complete strangers in need of food for their families. We are offered choices as we shop frozen meats, fish, milk, eggs, laundry detergent, deodorant, cleaning

supplies, shampoo and they even offer coffee.”

When the Finleyville Interfaith Community Council decided to open a food pantry at the St. John XXIII Social Center at St. Francis Church two years ago, they tasked Jane Sarra, the pantry's director, with determining the best way to set it up.

Sarra researched and determined that a “shopping model,” rather than the food box model used by some food banks, would work best. She chose the shopping model so clients would have autonomy and the opportunity to choose what they wanted.

Sarra said it is just like going to a traditional grocery store, and allows people to select what they would like to take home instead of getting a surprise box that has maybe 10 or 12 items in it that they may or may not be able to eat.

“Choice is very important as you are feeding people because I feel they have a sense of autonomy, it’s a sense of identity, and it’s also for economic reasons, because we are not wasting food,” said Sarra.

Brittany Holmes, a client at the food pantry, shared that her family has faced financial hardships due to rising costs of groceries, household expenses and everyday necessities. She said the food pantry has helped bridge the gap during challenging times and has been an invaluable resource for her family when they needed extra support beyond just food.

“I really appreciate the shopping model because it allows families to choose foods that fit their needs and preferences,” said Holmes. “It gives people a sense of dignity and independence, and it helps ensure that the food we receive is food our family will actually use and enjoy. The pantry has had a significant impact on our family. It has helped ease financial stress by reducing our grocery expenses, allowing us to put those funds toward other important household needs. The support we’ve received has made a meaningful difference in our lives and has helped us through difficult seasons.”

The pantry still makes food boxes for groups they serve that cannot come to the center to shop.

Since the pantry has a contract with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, it can serve anyone in need. In addition, since the food pantry has been so successful, efforts have been expanded.

Sarra said some food banks in the surrounding areas have closed, so they have had people come in from Monessen, Fayette and South Park.

The executive director of Southwestern Pennsylvania Literacy Council contacted the food bank for help with the Haitian community in Charleroi.

“We talked about it, and I offered to her to pack boxes for the students studying English as a second language,” said Sarra. “So, from December of 2023 up until now, we have sent about 60 boxes over to those who are studying English at the Catholic Church in Charleroi.”

In January, she also called Hello Neighbor, another nonprofit organization that operates at the First Methodist Church in Charleroi, serving 140 Haitian families.

“It’s beyond teaching English,” said Sarra. “They deal with social service agencies, and there is a lot of maternal and child care that comes out of that particular location for the Haitians. So now we pack 75 food boxes to send to those families in Charleroi on a monthly basis. We’ve learned what the Haitians like to eat based on their culture, so their food boxes contain what they like to eat most.”

Sarra also put together a business model that includes six areas for volunteers and a core team operational model.

Volunteers are vital to this organization. They are needed to stock shelves, pack food boxes, check expiration dates, unload trucks, deliver boxes, organize food, organize shopping trips, staff the pantry and more.

The pantry also just became part of a rescue program in which the local Giant Eagle in Finleyville will provide frozen meats every two weeks, helping give families more protein on shopping days.

Steve Pfeifer and his wife, Kathy, volunteer at the food pantry because they are both retired and believe it is a good way to help others.

“We do intake registration where we check the clients into Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank's database, or we take the clients around and help them shop for food,” said Steve. “Kathy does mostly intake; I do mostly food shopping, although we do switch off sometimes. We also fill in sometimes as pantry coordinators on distribution day if the regular coordinator is unavailable. We've been very fortunate that we're both in good health and don't have any serious problems (physical or financial), and we wanted to pay it forward, so to speak. God's been good to us, and this is a way to reach out to others as a way of giving thanks.”

Pfeifer added the part he and his wife like the most is the sense that they’re having a real, positive effect on people's lives.

“We help our clients, but it feels like we get back

more in return than what we give. Our clients are so grateful for the assistance they get, and that is the most gratifying part. We don't volunteer because we want people to thank us, but their thanks do make us feel like we're making a positive impact. We'd encourage anyone to volunteer; there's so much to be done, and even the little things have a big impact on someone else, even if it's just giving them a warm smile and a friendly greeting when they're there.”

Food for the pantry comes from several sources, including the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pennsylvania State Food Purchasing, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, grant funding and donor drives.

“I think what we need from the community is a better awareness of what we do in our services and how they can access us and utilize the services,” said Sarra. “The other thing is, we’re also going to be connecting with social service agencies at the hospitals because a lot of people go home, and they need access to food, and they don’t know where to refer them to.”

In addition to food insecurity, visitors to the pantry often have multiple needs.

“Food insecurity is one thing, but looking at the other social determinants that affect the quality of life is how we’re going to focus going forward for the future so that we can take care of the whole person beyond just giving them food,” said Sarra.

Karen Benton is one of the volunteer leaders who works hand in hand with Sarra to help when people need more than food.

“We pride ourselves on looking at the needs of the entire family,” said Benton. “As we talk with our clients, we find they have many other financial issues. Some have their utilities terminated, received eviction notices or can't afford medication, to name a few. With the help of other ministries and special donors, we can provide additional support for these clients.”

Sarra said they have special funding available from a private donor, which has enabled them to help people with utility bills, rent and other needs.

“In one situation, we had a donor come forward to buy a washer and dryer for a young family that didn’t have one,” said Sarra. “So, we look at the whole person.”

Benton said she volunteers at the pantry to help those struggling with food and other insecurities.

“After I retired, I wanted to give back to the community,” said Benton. “When I was in my 20s, I was a single mother of three children and was dependent on food stamps and the help of the local food pantry to feed my family. Once I obtained a well-paying job, I donated food and money to food banks. Being involved in the start-up of the St. John XXIII Interfaith pantry was a perfect fit for me.”

One of Benton’s responsibilities is recruiting, training, tracking hours, ensuring all positions are

filled and working face-to-face with the volunteers.

There are over 130 adults and 30 youth volunteers who make the pantry so successful.

Benton is the coordinator for Saturday distributions to ensure the pantry runs smoothly.

“My tasks range from welcoming clients, filling coolers, stocking shelves and assisting clients when needed,” said Benton. “I also enter data and run utilization reports using the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank system to track our activity. My favorite part of volunteering is bonding with both the volunteers and our clients. Our clients are so grateful for our friendship and help that they shake our hands, give us hugs, bring homemade cookies and share smiles and tears. It's a heartwarming experience to serve others.”

Benton said they like to refer to their clients as friends and neighbors in need.

“They become part of our community family who share their happy times as well as life's challenges,” said Benton. “Bad things happen to good people. We are all a step away from needing compassion and assistance from others.”

Holmes said her favorite part of the pantry is the people.

“The staff and volunteers are incredibly kind, welcoming and compassionate,” said Holmes. “They take the time to get to know the families they serve and make everyone feel valued and cared for. Their genuine kindness is something that truly stands out.”

Though the pantry is doing an excellent job as is, clients were asked for a wish list of what they would like to see in the pantry. Some said additional fresh produce, and another mentioned pet food would be welcome.

Sarra said the main things the pantry needs right now are more volunteers, donations and partnerships with organizations that could support on an ongoing basis, which would help to take care of the whole person beyond just the necessities.

“We really want to expand our operation and put an educational component in the food pantry,” said Sarra. “I am working on getting some educational videos, so while people are waiting to do their shopping, they can watch videos about healthy foods, how to protect against blood pressure issues and those kinds of things.”

The St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry is located at 3609 Washington Ave. in Finleyville.

Distribution days are the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Visit john23foodpantry.org/ways-to-give for more information.

For

Kids Fest March 21

Pa. Trolley Museum

Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival

May 22, 23 & 24

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows

Summer Concert Series

June 14 & August 1

Downtown Washington Community Pavilion

Founding Day June 27

Downtown Uniontown

Corks & Kegs

August 28, 29 & 30

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows

Farm To Fork September 12

Thistlethwaite Vineyards

All For Her October TBD

Washington

Best of the Best November 19

Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Holiday Market December 12

Downtown Washington Community Pavilion

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A recent cat up for adoption,

PURR-FECT PLACE: KITTY CO. CAT RESCUE OPENS NEW LOUNGE

By Kristin Emery

Photos courtesy of Kitty Co. Cat Lounge

Bridgeville has a purr-fect new place for cat lovers: Kitty Co. Cat Rescue recently opened its new cat lounge attached to its rescue location at 548 Baldwin Street. The foster-based cat rescue moved into the Bridgeville location last year and has now expanded to allow cat lovers and potential fosters and adopters to visit with some of their cats in the open lounge area next door. "The cats in there are free roaming, so there's just a bunch of cats walking around and doing their thing," says Kitty Co. Executive Director Joy King. "We have an office and a kennel room where we house more cats when they come in, are quarantined for a couple weeks just to make sure they're not sick or anything, and then once they're fixed and have all their vaccines, they will go into our lounge, and we'll see how they do."

Finding the right home

Founder and President Savannah Johnston started Kitty Co. six years ago out of her home in Burgettstown. The rescue operates by placing cats in foster homes until they can find their forever home. They expanded to the Bridgeville building last year, and the cat lounge opened February 28, providing a place for people to visit the cats and bond with those they may want to foster or adopt. "Most visitors do end up adopting, not all," says King. "Some people just come to simply visit the

cats, but it does lead to a bunch of adoptions. Some days we may not get a lot, other days we're busy the whole time we're open. It has led to a lot of adoptions."

To foster a cat, you just need a space separate from other animals in your home. "It could be a bathroom, like an empty room, somebody's bedroom, or it just has to be a space that you could quarantine the foster cat until you're sure they don't come down with like an illness or something," King explains. "Then you can release them into your house with your other animals. So to foster for us, you would just fill out an application on our website, we would ask you questions, we would give you an animal that you're comfortable with, and we would supply everything you need: litter, food, litter boxes, the whole thing, water bowls, everything you need to foster. Then you would just simply take the animal into your house and give it love until it's adopted." While Kitty Co. does have many fosters, they are always looking for more. "We do have fosters that are very loving, and we appreciate all of them, for sure. But we always are looking for new fosters."

Part of the reason for that need is the current waitlist for surrendered cats. "It's very long, and we want to help all of them," King adds. "We never turn anybody down, but we have to put them on the waitlist if we don't have a place to put the cat."

Add to that some emergency situations like the rescue recently taking in 35 cats from an Altoona

shelter shut down for abusing the animals, and the need for fosters is always pressing. "We are always looking for volunteers as well,” says King. "It could be anything from being a lounge greeter, you could help with transporting a cat to the vet, you can do the kennels, feeding the cats, cleaning the litter box, things like that. We're looking for administrative help, so there's something for everybody."

Another way the community can support the rescue is through donations. "Most of our income is donation-based," says King. "We do get some

from events, a little bit from grants. We are fortunate to have a lot of followers — I think we have about 9,000 on Facebook — so people do give donations, and those donations keep us open."

For more information on the Kitty Co. Cat Rescue, the new lounge and how to donate, visit the website at kittyco.org. The cat lounge is open Tuesday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There's a $6 donation for a 30-minute visit and $10 for one hour.

The power of supporting local

Courtesy of the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce

Every time shoppers choose to support a local business, they are investing in the community.

About two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses in the U.S. stays in the local community, according to a 2018 study commissioned by American Express.

Across Peters Township and the South Hills, local businesses are the foundation of a vibrant, thriving community. They create jobs, provide essential services, sponsor community events and contribute to the unique character that makes our area such a desirable place to live and work. When residents choose to shop, dine and do business locally, those dollars help strengthen the local economy and support the people who call this community home.

helping strengthen relationships and encourage local spending. More importantly, they show up for one another by sharing expertise, making introductions, collaborating on projects and providing exceptional goods and services that build trust throughout the community.

The Peters Township Chamber of Commerce is fortunate to represent a diverse network of dedicated business owners and professionals, deeply invested in the success of both their businesses and their neighbors. Members provide a wide range of services that help individuals, families and businesses navigate everyday life, working every day to improve the quality of life throughout the South Hills.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the chamber community is the way members support one another. Many chamber businesses offer discounts and special opportunities to fellow members,

Supporting local businesses also means supporting the people behind them. These are the business owners who sponsor youth sports teams, volunteer their time, contribute to charitable causes and advocate for community growth. Their commitment extends far beyond their storefronts and offices. The chamber is proud to celebrate and support these efforts throughout the year. Whether welcoming a new business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosting a luncheon that highlights a member and sponsor, providing educational seminars to help businesses navigate challenges or awarding scholarships that invest in the next generation of leaders, every initiative reflects a commitment to strengthening the community.

Local businesses create connections, foster innovation and help preserve the identity of the places we call home. Their success contributes directly to the vitality of Peters Township and the surrounding South Hills region.

As consumers, residents and neighbors, we all have the opportunity to make a difference through our choices. By supporting local businesses, we help ensure that our communities remain strong for generations.

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