We recently saw this question asked and answered in one of our favorite Pittsburgh Mom's Facebook Groups and thought the information was incredibly helpful. We did some deep diving to get you the most up-to-date info on some local resources available for single and/or low-income parents that you should know about. If you have any other suggestions or resources, please email emilyp@macaronikid.com or submit your info here.
Local Diaper Drives
Peters Creek Baptist Church Diaper Pantry
6300 Library Road
South Park, PA
Phone: 412.833.6111
pcbcdiaperpantry.org
Jeremiah's Place
6435 Frankstown Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: 412.924.0726
jeremiahsplace.org
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
1 N. Linden St.
Duquesne, PA15110
Phone: 412.460.3663
pittsburghfoodbank.org
Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank
201 N. Braddock Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone: 412.373.3074
wpadiaperbank.org
SHIM
5301 Park Avenue
Bethel Park, PA 15102
(412) 854-9120
shimcares.org
SHIM Family Center is free to all families and provides home visits, child development screenings and group activities to families in need with children up to age five.
Families also participate in field trips, discussions with guest speakers, a weekly Family Group and monthly Family Council meetings. These activities allow families to spend time together, foster community and provide opportunities for English language development.
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
332 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone:(412) 227-4802
ulpgh.org
The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh shares a deep commitment to ending hunger in the Pittsburgh region. Hunger Services offers two programs to help secure food for your family, including Emergency Food Assistance (EFA) and Food for Early Development (FED). These services are provided to individuals or families who reside in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.
FED helps eligible families that do not receive WIC benefits. FED offers baby formula and soft foods.
To access these services, call (412) 227-4164
First Time Homebuyers Education Workshop Every Third Saturday of Each Month 9:00AM - 5:00PM You will learn mortgage terms; the importance of budgeting; front and back end ratio; types of inspections; the types of insurances and more One-on-One Counselling Will provide individual budgeting skills; front and back end ratios; credit education and how to increase
Libraries and Librarians
I would almost compare our local libraries to a coal mine. On the outside, you think you know exactly what you'll find inside (a bunch of books), but what is hidden in there could be way more valuable. In addition to the abundance of free programs for kids and perfect play space for a rainy day, libraries and librarians specifically can be super helpful for adults too. You can schedule meetings to find local resources and jobs, get help on your resume, doing your taxes, and so much more! You can find some of our favorite South Hills Libraries here.
PA 211
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with utility bills, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. A specialist will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs)
Allegheny County
Early Learning Resource Center for Region 5
Counties Served: Allegheny
304 Wood Street, Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1928
Phone: (412) 350-3577
Washington County
Early Learning Resource Center for Region 4
Counties Served: Fayette/Greene/Washington/Westmoreland
350 Main st
Latrobe, PA 15650
Phone: (724) 836-4580
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are the hub of child care information in your area. ELRCs provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on your specific needs or preferences. ELRCs also administer the Child Care Works subsidized child care program that helps low-income families pay their childcare fees for daycare and sumer camps. If you have child care questions and needs, contact the ELRC for your local area or call the Child Care Works Helpline at 1-877-4-PA-KIDS.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Health Department WIC Program
Investment Building, 6th Floor
239 Fourth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-350-5801
www.achd.net/wic
Washington County
Community Action Southwest
150 West Beau St., Suite 304
Washington, PA 15301
724-225-8980 Ext 440 or 1-877-814-0788 Ext 440
www.caswg.org
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has helped Pennsylvania families since 1974. WIC helps pregnant women, mothers and caregivers of infants and young children learn about good nutrition to keep themselves and their families healthy. It provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals and healthy foods to eligible participants.
Pediatric Dentistry
The Pediatric Dental Program provides free dental treatments to children from low-income households who cannot afford private dental care. Services at the clinics include:
- Examinations
- Cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- X-rays
- Cavity fillings
- Primary tooth extractions
- Dental sealants
Hill House Association
1835 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-392-4441
UPMC South Pittsburgh
1630 Arlington Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Phone:
412-209-2289
Wander Building
339 Fifth Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: 412-209-0719
Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program
This program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.
Participant Eligibility: Low-income parents who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell grant.
PA Career Link
914 Penn Avenue
6th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
412-248-5627
pacareerlink.pa.gov
Create a PA CareerLink® account for resume building tools, new job alerts, job search tracking tools, and much more
Genesis of Pittsburgh
550 California Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone: 412.766.5212
genesispgh.org
Genesis of Pittsburgh is a social service agency dedicated to providing life affirming programs and services to pregnant women, children and adoptive families.
We hope you find these local resources useful, and remember, we all need help sometimes. If you have any other suggestions or resources, please email emilyp@macaronikid.com or submit your info here.
