Berger And Green Will Match Donations During WTAE-TV Project Hunger Week

On This Page

1. How Food Insecurity Affects a Person
2. The COVID-19 Crisis Has Worsened Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania
3. Origins and Goals of Project Hunger
4. Berger and Green Is Matching Donations

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

The law firm Berger and Green has announced that it will match donations up to $50,000 during WTAE-TV’s Project Hunger Week. The campaign runs from September 14th to September 18th, with proceeds providing much-needed food for residents throughout 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

More details will become available soon regarding how you can participate in Project Hunger Week, which provides donations to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

To donate, text “4HUNGER” to 50155 or visit PittsburghFoodBank.org/ProjectHunger.

How Food Insecurity Affects a Person

Food insecurity can be a source of constant stress for people who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) states that those who are food insecure may face a heightened risk of:

• Becoming obese
• Developing chronic health conditions
• Missing out on the nutritional benefits of healthy foods

Children may be especially harmed by food insecurity since access to nutritious food is essential to healthy development.

The American Psychological Association (APA) explains that possible effects of food insecurity on children include:

• Iron deficiency
• A greater number of behavioral problems
• Below-average development
• Poor overall health
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Aggressive behaviors
• Hospitalization
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

Studies cited by the APA also suggest a possible connection between food insecurity and obesity, since children without access to healthy food may settle for options that are generally bad for their health.

The residents of Pittsburgh and the counties surrounding the greater Pittsburgh area experience food insecurity in significant numbers. Organizations such as Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank are taking real steps to help ease the burden of food insecurity in the communities of southwestern Pennsylvania.

The COVID-19 Crisis Has Worsened Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania

The National Health Corps notes that food insecurity is “the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.”

Food insecurity can be a source of constant stress for people who do not know where their next meal is coming from. The COVID-19 virus has escalated the crisis of food insecurity for many families throughout Pennsylvania. Between March 16 and June 2, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank saw a 600% increase in views on its “Get Help” page. It also received 37,000 views on its COVID resource page within that same period.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank serves 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania; each of those counties has a rate of food insecurity greater than 10%. Those who have access to steady supplies of healthy food may not be aware of the number of residents in their community who do not have such access. Project Hunger strives to provide access to food and other resources for those who struggle with food insecurity.

Origins and Goals of Project Hunger

WTAE-TV explains the origins of Project Hunger, which is the basis for its upcoming campaign. The initiative began as a year-long focus on reducing food insecurity in the greater Pittsburgh area. The initiative’s three-year anniversary will come in January 2021, and the project continues to provide much-needed donations to the communities of greater Pittsburgh.

The crux of Project Hunger is a partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Project Hunger is an ongoing effort but has generally included a day in which those who want to help are encouraged to donate.

Project Hunger’s Day of Giving raised more than $117,195 to help feed the hungry in 2019. This year’s event differs from previous campaigns in that instead of one day of fundraising, potential donors have an entire week to contribute. The hope is that this extended giving window will increase the total amount of donations received.

Berger and Green Is Matching Donations

Berger and Green, a law firm that services clients in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, prides itself on serving the residents of greater Pittsburgh in times of need. They have decided to become a matching gift sponsor for the 2020 Project Hunger Week. Berger and Green will match donations during WTAE-TV Project Hunger Week up to $50,000.

“When the pandemic hit, and so many people were without income, we knew that our past donations were not enough. We decided to get in touch with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank directly because we wanted to do more,” said founding partner Cynthia C. Berger. “As we learned more about the seriousness of the need, we asked if we could do something to spur others to give and decided to become at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank matching gift sponsor during WTAE-TV’s Project Hunger Week.”

Donate Now––There are so many facing food insecurity in our community who need your support now. You can call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for more details about how we assist residents in the greater Pittsburgh area.