News

By Lauren Tilghman

What began as a routine all-staff meeting in November for the Inglis’ Self Determination Housing of Pennsylvania team— quickly grew into something much bigger—both in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. Staff from multiple counties shared a troubling but consistent theme: rising food insecurity. From the loss or reduction of SNAP benefits to the rising cost of living and the added pressure of the holidays, nearly everyone was seeing the same growing need.

Abigail Goetz, the Pittsburgh Inglis Innovation Center and Outreach Coordinator, couldn’t shake what she’d heard on that meeting. “I woke up the next morning still thinking about it,” she shared. “This is our community. Why aren’t we doing something?” Her response was immediate and became part of a twofold solution—address the immediate need for food while also helping people understand how policy changes may be affecting their ability to access benefits.

Within hours, Abigail reached out to several of Inglis’ local partners, starting with the Director of Operations at the Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Suburban Campus (the building where Inglis’ Pittsburgh Innovation Center is located), to launch a community food drive at the Innovation Center. They didn’t just say yes, they helped multiply the effort.

Very quickly, several additional neighboring partners entered the conversation offering support, their own networks for outreach, and space to host donation boxes—including Highmark Wholecare, Catapult Kitchen, Bellevue Forward, Wonder Bar Café & Bistro, Lincoln Brewery, The Menagerie, the Dive Bar & Grille, a local physical therapy clinic, and AHN’s Center for Inclusion Health.  

Ten donation boxes were deployed across Pittsburgh’s Northside, Bellevue, Wexford, and Fox Chapel neighborhoods— each filling up with non-perishable food and hygiene items donated by Inglis staff, local entrepreneurs, community partners, neighbors, and patrons. While some have dropped off pantry staples, others have provided a different kind of meaningful boost; Pittsburgh’s local AmeriHealth division donated $500 to supplement the effort, along with their own volunteer support.

The collected items are being distributed amongst several trusted local partners serving residents of all abilities who are in need—including The Open Door, Inc., Triumph Church Food Pantry, Salvation Army North Borough Corps, North Hills Community Outreach, Network of Hope, Northside Common Ministries, and Mary’s Gate at Assumption Parish. Each of the organizations serves the Northside, Brighton Heights, Avalon, and Bellevue neighborhoods—ensuring donations stay close to home.

Some of the collected donations from the Pittsburgh area.

As Inglis team members of the western side of the state were providing on-the-ground support; on the eastern half in Philadelphia, Brian Valdez, Inglis’ Community Engagement Specialist on its Advocacy team— was busy addressing a critical gap in awareness about the impact of the US Congress’ Big, Beautiful Bill Act (HR1). In September 2025, federal changes to SNAP introduced new and expanded work requirements that will impact many of the Pennsylvanians supported by Inglis— beginning in January 2026. While most older adults and people with disabilities who are unable to work may qualify for exemptions, many individuals—and even service providers—are unaware of the updated rules or unsure how to report compliance or request an exemption. For Inglis, whose mission centers on supporting people with disabilities and older adults— education and getting the word out became just as urgent as direct support.

Inglis has been working statewide to ensure that staff and community members understand the SNAP changes and know where to turn for accurate information. Resident Service Coordinators (RSCs) in Inglis’ Housing Corporation communities and staff throughout all of Inglis’ Community Services across Pennsylvania are sharing updated guidance, Department of Human Services (DHS) resources, and exemption information with those who rely on SNAP; helping reduce confusion and prevent an unnecessary loss of benefits amongst its constituents.

While the food drive began as a response to a moment in time, the work behind it reflects a longer-term commitment. By pairing direct community action with education and advocacy around SNAP changes, Inglis is helping people not only meet today’s needs, but better navigate the systems meant to support them—now and in the months ahead.

For more information on how you can support the Inglis community visit www.inglis.org/getinvolved