Strengthening. As the new Executive Director of North Hills Community Outreach, I have been amazed to discover the organization's incredible strengths: a network of partners delivering vital programs and services to our community; a diverse team of volunteers and staff who truly care about every person we serve; and a strong reputation for doing everything we can to support our neighbors in need.

Our Roots. And what really makes NHCO strong is YOU. We are rooted in an interconnected web of individuals, congregations, civic groups and businesses who are committed to NHCO’s vision that no one in our community needs to be cold, hungry or alone. Like the roots of a tree supplying life-sustaining water and nutrients, our supporters provide much needed resources of time, talent and treasure that make everything NHCO does possible.

Reaching. But NHCO is not resting upon the laurels of our accomplishments in the past. This year we expanded several key programs, branched out into new neighborhoods and banded together with new partners to fill gaps in our community’s safety net. We are passionately committed to reaching every neighbor who might benefit from our support.

New Heights. Looking to the future, NHCO has the opportunity to reach new heights – in number of volunteers and donors that engage with the mission, in the new programs and partnerships we create, and in the magnitude of impact we can have on each of our neighbors in need. I cannot wait to see how the seeds that you are planting today will come to fruition, enabling our community members who are struggling today to flourish and thrive in years to come!

Thank YOU for strengthening our roots, enabling us to reach new heights in 2024 and beyond!

With Gratitude,
Scott Shaffer

Supply chain disruptions, high demand, labor shortages, rising energy costs and interest rate increases are just a few of the reasons why prices everywhere are skyrocketing. Whether we're buying groceries, filling up the gas tank or dealing with the soaring costs of housing, inflation is hitting our community hard. Everyone is feeling the pinch—especially those who were barely making ends meet before. Those on a fixed or lower income are going to feel the impact of inflation harder because a larger percentage of their paycheck goes to basic necessities.

According to the USDA, food prices in the United States have increased by 25%. NHCO Food Pantry Coordinator Jon Jordan explains, “we’ve seen an uptick in new clients in the pantry as well as retuning clients who have been absent for a while. Inflation is challenging for all of our pocketbooks, but clients on a fixed income seem to be having an increasingly hard time stretching their dollar.”

However, inflation is affecting more than just food prices.

Financial experts recommend spending about 30% of income on housing to ensure there is money left for other necessities. However, CBS News reports that over 43% of Pennsylvania residents spend more than this, with 23% spending over 50% of their income on housing. The US median rent in 2022 was 21% higher than it was in 2001, while on average renters’ incomes have risen by only 2%.

NHCO Manager of Programs and Services Genevieve Volpe emphasizes, “requests for services have increased because people cannot maintain their budgets and payments even though their incomes remain the same.” This is not to mention the rising costs of childcare, utilities, healthcare and other everyday items.

A record $30,315.17 was raised by 232 volunteer bell ringers, kettle collectors and money counters who gave 574 hours to NHCO’s Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. That beats our previous record by more than $9,000. The money raised primarily went towards utility assistance, helping our clients keep their lights on and homes warm.

North Hills Community Outreach has participated in the event for more than 20 years, with Volunteer Coordinator Harriet Klatte overseeing it since 2016.

“I admire these volunteers for collectively devoting 574 hours to stand outside in all types of weather spreading the holiday spirit, ringing the bells, playing music, singing, juggling, covering several shifts and filling in when we had cancellations,” Harriet said. “Their efforts raised funds that will enable NHCO to assist low-income households facing financial emergencies. I am very grateful for these volunteers and proud of this achievement.”

The spirited revelers collected outside Kuhn’s in Allison Park and Walmart in Gibsonia. The melodically inclined plucked guitars, pounded drums, honked horns, strummed ukes and crooned carols.

During NHCO's fiscal year 2023-2024, 698 volunteers gave 23,641 hours to NHCO and our community. Duties included office administration, gardening, food distribution, giving rides to seniors, friendly home visits and more.

North Hills Community Outreach's Free Rides for Seniors Program (FRFS) provided a record 8,473 rides for 167 older adults. That’s 29,254 miles of essential road travel, 4,353 miles more than the Earth's circumference at the equator.

"This program does more for the dignity of individuals in the community than you will ever realize,” said a FRFS passenger.

Two 10-passenger FRFS shuttles provide transportation at no charge to those 60 and older. Volunteer drivers provide door-to-door service every weekday to those living along the Route 28 corridor around Fox Chapel. Destinations include medical appointments, grocery stores, UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, banks, pharmacies and other critically important stops.

"Surpassing our pre-pandemic ride numbers is a wonderful sign that we are meeting needs. We feel so honored to be a trusted resource for older adults. It has been a rewarding effort to provide a vital service for a caring community that so many can rely on," said FRFS Coordinator Tracy Elway.

The shuttles can also deliver joy and independence to its riders. It might be a place to socialize, or open an opportunity to meet a friend for lunch. Or maybe they just need to get out of the house.

FRFS is one of a variety of NHCO services that help older adults in our community live healthy, safe and with dignity while living at home.

We greatly need volunteers to ensure the shuttles keep providing this necessary service. Please visit NHCO.org/volunteer.

NHCO Expands Successful Transportation Assistance Program

For almost seven years, Dan Wonders has overseen NHCO's Transportation Assistance program, which helps individuals stabilize their transportation to support work, job searches and education and vocational training. The program operates out of our Millvale office, with a satellite location that opened last December in Turtle Creek east of Pittsburgh.

According to Dan, other local agencies reported their clients struggled with job insecurity due to unreliable or unaffordable transportation.

“NHCO's Transportation Assistance program and its partners in the Allegheny Valley and the South Hills had a proven track record ofhelping people with these challenges, so it wasn't a surprise that we were asked to launch and run a similar program in the Mon Valley and east suburbs," Dan added.

Angela Kerns oversees the program in Turtle Creek, and lives in the community.

"It was a little intimidating, at first, to be the sole coordinator for a transportation program in an area that did not have a program,” Angela said. “The Mon Valley encompasses such a large, diverse population of Allegheny County. Every day I hear ‘I didn’t even know a program like this existed in this area!’ It is incredibly rewarding to live and work in the Mon Valley and also be able to alleviate some of the financial hardships that our neighbors face."

During the NHCO's fiscal year 2023-2024, 108 people received transportation assistance in one of the following ways:

• Financial assistance for car repairs

• Insurance payments

• Bus passes

• AAA membership

• Car seats

• Car payments or down payments

• Gas cards and fees for ride sharing services

• Individual consultations and referrals

This past spring, supporters embraced NHCO's inaugural Chocolate Walk at McCandless Crossing and the Community BBQ hosted by Memorial Park Church.

"Both of these events saw incredibly strong community support, leading to their success," said Director of Development & Communications Lizzy Zimmerman. "We are excited to see what they can develop into in 2025 from not only a fundraising perspective, but an awareness and outreach perspective as well.”

During the Chocolate Walk, participants started at The Fairfield Inn & Suites, where they received a passport listing the participating businesses and a tote bag for their goodies. They then ventured to each store to collect — and savor — chocolatey treats that included wrapped morsels, cakes, ice cream and even an edible (chocolate) wedding ring.

After marking off each location on their passport, they turned it in for a chance to win the grand prize — a package of fun at McCandless Crossing worth more than $500. The Chocolate Walk was a sell-out success and attendees are already eagerly awaiting next year's decadent day out.

At the Community BBQ hosted by Memorial Park Church, more than 350 neighbors enjoyed great company and all-you-can-eat yummy food. It was a drizzly spring day, but kids of all ages still played corn hole and kickball.

A new feature at the BBQ turned out to be the largest success. Community members could purchase tickets on behalf of families who utilize our services to attend free of charge as special guests. This allowed staff, supporters, volunteers and those who rely on NHCO to all enjoy a fun afternoon together.

NHCO provided 27,415 services to 4,738 households. Here is a snapshot of some of the services we provided:

1,531 Families and Individuals Were Served by NHCO's Three Food Pantries
Food insecurity and general financial hardship were the top two reasons people sought help at NHCO.

563 Tax Returns Completed Through NHCO's Free Tax Prep Program

183 Households Received Housing Assistance
We assist individuals and families with rental assistance or help with a security deposit to prevent homelessness.

453 Assisted Through NHCO's In Service of Seniors Program, including

• Home safety checks

• Food delivery

• Yard work

• Snow shoveling

• Senior buddy check-in calls

1,164 Unduplicated Families Assisted Through NHCO's Seasonal Sharing Project, including

• Sharing Winter Warmth

• Thanksgiving Dinner

• Holiday Toys

• Spring Cleaning Products

• Winter Coat Distribution

• Personal Care Items

• Back to School Supplies

483 Utility Applications Completed
NHCO helps qualifying families and individuals with utility bills through various programs.

NHCO in The News

NHCO.org/in-the-news

Social Media Spotlight

Our Donors

We are grateful to everyone who donates time, talent, and treasure to NHCO. Businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, education institutions, foundations, government agencies, religious organizations and individuals who donated to NHCO between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 are listed at NHCO.org/donors.