MCKEESPORT, PA. – On Monday, Nov. 23, Penn State Greater Allegheny's (PSUGA) Street Team prepared for its annual Thanksgiving meal drive at the Mon Valley Launchbox in downtown McKeesport. Greater Allegheny, along with local Sam's Clubs and Jordan Banana, has supplied meals for families in and around the Mon Valley region over the past two years.
"PSUGA's Street Team's annual Thanksgiving meal drive is a way of not only feeding those who are hungry, but also showing kindness and support to those who are feeling the pain of poverty and misfortune," noted Mylisha Burns, Street Team Member.
Battling food insecurity is a top priority at Penn State Greater Allegheny. It has led to initiatives such as grab-n-go stations located in campus buildings and an editable walking trail on the campus grounds. There is also a little free food box located in a parking lot next to the Student Community Center which is accessible to students and community members.
"Our annual turkey drive helps expand the campus's service of food security for both students and the community," said Erica Willis, Street Team member. "This is a core part of who we are and what we do."
Community partners play a special role in this annual event. Local Sam's Clubs (Pittsburgh Mills, West Mifflin, Mount Nebo, and Monroeville) donated 50 turkeys, and Jordan Banana donated bundles of white potatoes. Greater Allegheny faculty, staff, and alumni also made contributions to make this year's drive a success.
The Penn State Greater Allegheny Street team includes Siobhan Brooks, Mylisha Burns, Jacqueline Edmondson, Eric Ewell, Erica Tachoir, Johnathan White and Erica Willis.
To learn more about what our community is doing to battle hunger, visit https://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/penn-state-greater-allegheny/signature/Food-Security.
Penn State Greater Allegheny's Street Team, a group of Greater Allegheny employees, came together on Monday to package 50 Thanksgiving dinners for local community members.
Street Team Member, Erica Willis, helps package onions for the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Meal Drive at the Mon Valley Launchbox.
Image: Penn State
Street Team Member and Coordinator for the Mon Valley Launchbox, Eric Ewell, helped bag food for families in need.
Image: Penn State
LaVaughn Wesley, director of Giving Adolescents Meaningful Experiences program, packaging rolls on Mon. Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Mon Valley LaunchBox.
Image: Penn State
Erica Willis and LaVaughn Wesley are packing plastic bags for the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Drive at the Mon Valley Launchbox.
Image: Penn State
Street Team Member, Erica Tachoir, measures out and packages green beans for the Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Mon Valley Launchbox.
Image: Penn StateStreet Team Member, Erica Tachoir, measures out and packages green beans for the Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Mon Valley Launchbox.
Image: Penn State
Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jacqueline Edmondson adds an additional meal package containing rolls, butter, white onions and potatoes, macaroni, and greens to the donation table.
Image: Penn State
