“Dan McCarthy, an organizer with the nonprofit anti-poverty organization Just Harvest, praised the proposal.

‘Especially at a time when the federal government is dismantling our social safety net, I think now’s the perfect time for Allegheny County to think about the tools it has in its arsenal to address crises like this of public health,’ McCarthy said.“

“Hundreds of thousands of workers in Allegheny County may soon be eligible for paid parental leave now that the Allegheny County Health Department’s Board of Health voted Wednesday evening to pass an amendment for public comment on the matter… If ultimately passed, the county would be the first in Pennsylvania to require paid parental leave.“

“The Downtown Farmers Market, opening Thursday, will be the first in a series of free events driving traffic to the new Market Square.”

“The Downtown Farmers Market will launch its 22nd season Thursday… Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Just Harvest’s Fresh Access program will enable shoppers to use SNAP benefits at the market. SNAP participants will receive an extra $2 to spend on fruits and vegetables for every $5 they spend.”

“CitiParks hosts three weekly farmers markets from May to November, offering residents opportunities to shop for fresh, local foods in their own neighborhoods… All of the markets accept SNAP benefits, debit and credit cards through the Fresh Access program from Just Harvest.”

“At a public hearing ahead of the votes earlier this month, advocates from local food advocacy organizations spoke against the cuts. Just Harvest organizer Dan McCarthy said the fund is more needed than ever, as federal funding for such programs has become less reliable under the Trump administration.”

“Anti-hunger nonprofit Just Harvest convened a town-hall style forum at the UPMC Neighborhood Center to dig into what it called an ongoing SNAP skimming crisis and to push for both reimbursements and chip-enabled cards, according to Just Harvest.”

“Allegheny County leaders came together Friday to learn what could be done to stop SNAP benefit thefts… the non-profit Just Harvest brought together a panel to discuss the crisis that leaves people without food and recourse.”

“According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, scammers take hundreds of millions of dollars a year from users of EBT and SNAP benefits, who are elderly, disabled or parents of small children. These benefits aren't replaced when they're stolen.”

“Duquesne students volunteer at five locations across the area this year: Just Harvest South Side, Bedford Hope Center of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Community College of Allegheny County Boyce Campus and Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh in Brentwood. “

‘“We hear from families regularly that their SNAP benefits are stolen, and it is truly gut-wrenching as there is no recourse for these victims in Pennsylvania,” said Ann Sanders, an advocate with Pittsburgh-based anti-hunger group Just Harvest. “Congress stopped reimbursements for any theft after December of 2024, but thefts have not stopped and families now go hungry when they become victims.”;

“Pittsburghers will come together this weekend for the annual Empty Bowls community meal benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. With three different seating options on Sunday, the event will serve “a simple meal of soup and bread” to nearly 1,500 people to help end hunger across the region.”

Learn more about the annual Empty Bowls event benefiting Just Harvest and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

“The 29th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser returns on March 15 to Rodef Shalom Congregation in Shadyside to raise money for hunger relief. It invites guests to share a humble dinner while taking home a handcrafted ceramic bowl — a reminder of the many people across the world whose bowls remain empty.”

“Close to 1 million will qualify for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit in 2026, signed into law as part of the state budget late last year, was modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.”

“According to 90.5 WESA, the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit — as modeled on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit — was signed into being late last year as part of the state budget agreement. ‘This targeted credit will reduce the tax burden on working Pennsylvanians, some of whom pay [state] income taxes while living below the poverty level,’ Kristie Weiland, who runs the Free Tax Prep Coalition at anti-hunger organization Just Harvest, via statement.”

“As tax season ramps up, elected officials and advocates are highlighting a new state tax credit that can put hundreds of dollars into the pockets of working families this year. Close to 1 million Pennsylvanians will qualify for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit in 2026. The new credit was signed into law as part of the state budget late last year. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit was modeled on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, often described as one of the country’s largest anti-poverty programs.”

 “The Free Tax Prep Coalition is a group of 13 organizations led by United Way and Just Harvest, providing free tax filing assistance to local households making up to $70,000 per year. ‘You don't need any tax training or knowledge coming into this. Just Harvest provides excellent and comprehensive training to all of our volunteers. They get IRS certified and are really able to provide a high quality service,’ Schmidlapp said.”

“PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh City Council is weighing a tax increase of up to 30 percent as it works to close an almost $20 million budget deficit.

‘Without the proposed funding in this year’s budget for the Food Justice Fund, this one won’t be able to continue supporting into some of our measures when we really need them the most,’ said Dan McCarthy, from Just Harvest.”

“Within the past six weeks, the organization has responded to inquiries from more than 400 community members and submitted more than 200 applications for benefits, said Ann Sanders, director of public benefits, policy and programs for Just Harvest.”