NHCO Welcomes Scott Shaffer as Executive Director

North Hills Community Outreach is thrilled to welcome Scott Shaffer as Executive Director effective July 8. Scott served most recently as Lead Pastor of Faith UMC in Fox Chapel and Executive Director of Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg, one of NHCO’s partner organizations that works to unite people across differences of race, class and geography to build community and alleviate poverty. “NHCO is truly an organization after my own heart,” says Scott, “and I cannot imagine a nonprofit that is a better fit for my passion, skills and experience.”

Scott brings extensive experience in nonprofit management, community development, and fundraising to his new role. NHCO Board President, Megan Melichar said, “We know Scott is equipped to tackle this role and guide NHCO’s continued growth and development to meet the rising needs in the region. Scott will lead NHCO with mindful consideration of its mission and the families we serve." Scott is a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School, and is currently completing a doctoral degree at Wesley Theological Seminary and Wesley House Cambridge. He lives in Indiana Township with his wife Shannon and two children, and enjoys getting outdoors, traveling to new places and meeting new people!

Living in a Tent at 74, Man Finds Place to Call Home 

To say Richard was excited during a recent visit to the Millvale office would be an understatement. He had been unhoused and living in a tent, and he was meeting with an NHCO service coordinator ahead of moving into his very first home. 

"You get ate up by mosquitoes and stuff like that. I'm tired of being homeless, that's all," he said in a gravelly yet jovial voice.

Richard was living in Georgia, but wanted to move to Pittsburgh to be close to his nine year-old goddaughter and an ailing friend. For a few years, he traveled between the two states living in a tent, and hoping to find a permanent home in the Pittsburgh area. Without luck, he sought housing assistance through the county several times. His persistence paid off when he found a low-income apartment complex where the rent is within his tight budget of less than $700 per month from Social Security.

However, he needed a security deposit before he could move. He sold all of his belongings, but still came up short. A local church referred him to NHCO where he met Annelise O'Neill, Millvale Service Coordinator. She helped secure the deposit through NHCO’s Food and Emergency Assistance Program. In addition, she gave Richard a cart full of housewarming gifts that included a coffee maker, blankets, food and gift cards to local thrift shops.

“Richard's story is a true testament of NHCO's mission of People Helping People,” Annelise said. “For the first time in his life, Richard has a safe place to call his own. It's exciting when the stars align and you get to witness a client's success story in action.”

"I love her [Annelise] to death. If it wasn't for her I don't know where I'd be," Richard bellowed with a genuine and heartwarming grin.

He visits NHCO’s food pantry, and has plans to use benefits from the Transportation Assistance Program. He’s also meeting with a partner organization for help in securing a job.

But most importantly, Richard is out of his tent and living close to his goddaughter.

Older Adults Services at NHCO Celebrated 30 Years! 

In May, NHCO hosted a party celebrating three decades of our In Service of Seniors (ISOS) Program, which includes a variety of services that help older adults live safely and independently. Guests included a multitude of individuals who have contributed to the program’s success: tireless volunteers, dedicated staff, passionate community partners and our cherished older neighbors.

ISOS services include:

• Transportation on our Free Rides for Seniors Shuttle

• Rides to medical appointments, grocery stores and other errands

• Snow shoveling, yardwork and home safety checks

• Friendly home visits and telephone reassurance call

The vast majority of these services cannot happen without our ISOS volunteers. Performing the tasks above can mean a lot more to an older person.

“What might be just offering a ride to one of our older adults to you could be the opportunity for them to tell a story, a joke, or their latest political opinion,” said Gregg Brunner, Older Adults Outreach and Volunteer Specialist. “Every trip is an opportunity for those little, beautiful moments that otherwise might not happen without our volunteers."

To learn how you can help, please visit our volunteer opportunities page.

Grateful for His Good Fortune - A Car Donor Gives Back

Ryan recently bought a new car and donated his previous car, which was in great condition, to NHCO’s Transportation Assistance Program. The car was sold at auction, with the proceeds then helping to fund the program. Ryan could have scored good money off the 2017 vehicle, but he had a more meaningful purpose in mind.

"It's a great feeling honestly. I've done okay in my life. I also know I've been lucky. Oftentimes people struggle for reasons that are beyond their control,” he said. “If I can help out in any way, if I can help out other people who maybe have not been afforded the opportunities that I've had...it's a good thing."

The Transportation Assistance Program helps people overcome barriers to accessing reliable transportation that supports jobs, education and important appointments and errands. Assistance can include car repairs, bus passes, baby seats and more.

"Ryan's donation is one of the largest in the program's history. It was generous and will have a big impact on the people who need our help," said Dan Wonders, Transportation Assistance Program Manager, who oversees the program.

Want to turn your unwanted car into a gesture of goodwill? The process is simple, and towing is free. Learn more at NHCO.org/donate-your-car or contact Dan at 412-487-6316 x3225 or djwonders@NHCO.org.

"Transportation's a basic need for people. If you can donate a vehicle and help provide that basic need, you're doing a great thing," Ryan added.

Creative Fundraising An Innovative Way to Support NHCO

Supporters have a variety of ways to fundraise for NHCO, both monetary and nonmonetary. We love to see the community get creative and incorporate art, crafts, theater or sports themes.

For example, local churches hold an annual high school musical revue where the audience has the opportunity to donate food as their admission to the event. The Bellevue Elementary School Kindness club assembled Valentine's Day mugs full of treats, decorations and inspirational notes that were gifted to older adults in NHCO’s ISOS program. Vincent, a local teenager, organized a relay race where the cost to participate supported NHCO programs. It has raisded more than $12,000 over the last two years.

Other popular ideas include hosting a lemonade stand, organizing a neighborhood food drive and arranging a sharing project collection at your school or workplace. Maybe a Christmas decoration contest or knitting scarves for our older adults? To quote Willy Wonka from the song Pure Imagination: “want to change the world, there's nothing to it.”

"Third party fundraisers are a fantastic way to transform your passions into a force for good. Whatever it is that you enjoy, we can help you leverage it to become a catalyst for change in your community. Whether it's a small, intimate fundraiser with your closest friends or a community-wide event, you have the chance to help ensure that our neighbors are not cold, hungry or alone," said Abby Kelly, NHCO Development Coordinator.

Do you have an idea for a creative fundraiser? Contact Abby at 412-487-6316 x3205 or aekelly@NHCO.org.

Garden Grows Greener Thanks to Community's Generosity

No doubt, the gardeners who care for NHCO’s community garden are integral to growing fresh produce for our food pantries. However, the businesses and individuals who donate goods facilitate their efforts.

West Coast Seeds, a Canadian for-profit company specializing in organic, non-genetically modified seeds, has provided free seeds – the undeniable foundation of any garden – for several years. The company recently donated two packs of seeds, which will grow first-time plants for the garden: imperial star artichoke and celeriac. Artichokes normally grow in the warm south, but this varietal is suited for the cooler north. Celeriac tastes a bit like celery, and has a hint of sweetness when cooked.

Sacred Gate Farm in Apollo, PA, specializes in berries, and donated 50 blackberry bushes that now adorn the fence along the road adjacent to the garden. A Bellevue resident donated a wheelbarrow and several tools after he found it challenging to tend to his own garden due to his age.

“We’ve had so many generous donations that set the garden up for success this year. Thank you so much to the business and individuals who donated materials to make our growing season the best it can be,” said Garden Coordinator, Kate Robson.

Kate grew up on a beef farm in New Florence, PA, where her parents still live. Her parents recently donated one and a half tons of nutrient-rich manure, helping the plants grow lush and bountiful.

To learn more about our garden, please visit NHCO.org/garden.

Learn About NHCO’s Volunteer Opportunities at NHCO.org/Volunteer

If you're interested in volunteering and/or have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Harriet Klatte
Volunteer Coordinator
412-487-6316 x3204
hzklatte@nhco.org

NHCO's Sharing Projects and Other Ways to Help

Sharing Project and food donations can be dropped off at any of our three offices Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm. Our Allison Park location also accepts donations the first Saturday of the month between 9am-noon.

Back to School Supplies Collection, June 10 - August 9

Because of our generous supporters, 889 students received back to school supplies last year. This was an increase compared to previous years, so the need is there. You can order items from our Amazon Wishlist and have them sent directly to our office.

We’re collecting:

• New backpacks

• Colored pencils

• 24-pack crayons

• Erasers

• Glue sticks

• Highlighters and markers

• Loose-leaf paper

• Notebooks

• Binders

• Pens pencils/mechanical pencils

• Pencil boxes and sharpeners

• Pocket folders

• Rulers

• Scissors

• TI graphing calculators for advanced high school science and math (Texas Instruments). These can be gently used, as long as they are working.

Coat Shop Collection, September 3 - October 18

We’re collecting and distributing new coats to children ages infant to 18-years-old. New hats, scarves and gloves are also being accepted. Gift cards to purchase coats are also greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at any of our three offices, or you can order from our Amazon Wishlist and have the coats shipped directly to us.

Seven Easy Ways to Donate

1. NHCO.org/donate

2. Text NHCO to 44-321

3. Call our staff accountant to make a donation over the phone: Lin Kostura, 412-487-6316, opt. 1 x 3131

4. Send a check to:
North Hills Community Outreach
1975 Ferguson Road
Allison Park, PA 15101

5. Corporate Matching Gifts - Multiply your gift with a donation match from your employer. Visit NHCO.org/matching-gifts to see if your donation will be matched. Learn more at NHCO.org/corporate-matching-gifts

6. Become a monthly donor. It's easy and automatic. Please visit NHCO.org/donate and choose "monthly."

7. Planned giving - This opportunity allows donors to leave a lasting legacy to NHCO and the community we serve. Learn more at NHCO.org/legacy.

A food pantry client (right) grabs a bag of personal care items and treats from Avalon Elementary School students. The children are members of the school's Kindness Club, who spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day collecting and bagging the items, and then donated them to local charities.

A large portion of what NHCO distributes is donated. Interested in holding a collection? Please contact:
Abby Kelly
Development Coordinator
412-487-6316 x3205
aekelly@NHCO.org

Fundraisers and Events

Thank You Notes!

"I wanted to thank you for your kind words. Very few people in my life have outright called me a survivor even though there’s a lot that merits me holding that. So, to hear it from a stranger means a lot."

A Utility Assistance Client

"I cannot thank you enough! This seriously just made my day! It’s been hard as a single father just trying to make ends meet and sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I thank you so much for all your help and lending me resources to ease my troubles! If I could give you a hug I would in a second!" 

A single father with disabled teenage son

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you so very much! My son thanks you also. You are truly a Blessing. Thank you North Hills Community Outreach. I don’t know what I would do without you."

An older adult 

"Thanks again for this information and for helping my family. I’m so grateful for this support. You are really giving us a fighting chance here."

A single mom of three

"I do appreciate you for the help you gave me in the past and in future. And those who are in need as well, and for the community. You are making a difference in people's life. And that's why you keep on receiving blessings."

A Utility Assistance Client