b'5SUMMER 2019CRITICAL ANNUAL ONLINE GIVING EVENT INVIGORATES ESSENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS.CONDITIONSTHE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY of a communityNorth Versailles and East McKeesport residents. It relies on steeped in a culture of generosity. support from the community it serves. More than half of the Since 2009, The Pittsburgh Foundation has sponsoredpantrys volunteers are also clients. seven Days of Giving and Critical Needs Alert events, raisingThis year, the pantry was able to raise more than $10,000. more than $46.4 million for nonprofit organizations acrossAdd the matching funds from the Foundations incentive the Pittsburgh region. The latest crowdfunding event,pool and the pantry collected nearly $20,000, two-thirds of the #ONEDAY Critical Needs Alert on May 7, generatedits annual budget, which allowed Sites, a retired professor in record-breaking numbers$1.67 million for basic needsthe University of Pittsburghs school of social work, to set a services provided by 190 organizations. That total includesnew objective: increase awareness. an incentive pool of $800,000 from the Foundation and itsThis infusion of cash is enabling us to help new affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmorelandfamilies we have not been able to find, with more colorful, County. Nearly half the donations came directly from donors. elaborate outreach, especially for the homebound. And #ONEDAY helped nonprofits that provide child care,weve started to do deliveries. In two years, weve made giant food, housing, mental and physical health care, andstrides, and it would be impossible without the efforts of transportation for the regions most vulnerable neighbors.The Pittsburgh Foundation.Light of Life Ministries collected the most donations (354)Maxwell King, who was president and CEO of and the highest dollar amount ($190,000 with matchingThe Pittsburgh Foundation at the time of the fundraising funds included). event, says the outpouring of support demonstrates the But smaller nonprofits often realize the greatest benefitcommunitys commitment to 100 Percent Pittsburgh, the from the Foundations online giving events.Foundations organizing principle that is dedicated to We were living hand-to-mouth, just like our recipients,providing new opportunities for the 30% of residents left out says MAs (Ministerial Associations) Pantry President Dr. Edwardof the regions resurgent economy to become full participants.Sites, reflecting on his organizations situation before last yearsThe generosity of the community is what drove the Critical Needs Alert. Just enough [food and funds] were comingwhole thing, says King. There is an instinctive under-in to feed them, and we could not meet increasing demand.standing that people cant get ahead and be able to do for Then, in Nov. 2017, two large freezers broke, and thethemselves without a baseline of essentials in life. What pantry was unable to accept donations of frozen foods orweve found is agencies such as Light of Life help them with afford freezer repairs. these basic needs and make all the difference. They give We were on the verge of going out of business.people a platform on which to come out of poverty and build But by participating in last years Critical Needs event,their lives.the pantry used $9,300 of funds raised to replace the freezers.For a complete list of organizations and donation totals, That put us back in business big time, Sites says. Thesevisit pittsburghgives.org/leaderboard.events have been a godsend to us.MAs Pantry, which is a branch of the Greater PittsburghbyChristian Pelusi | senior communications officerCommunity Food Bank, provides meals twice a month to'