There’s been ample talk about urgency with the Pirates this season. But what transpired Monday on a Pittsburgh Baseball Club terrace overlooking gorgeous PNC Park involved a different type of urgency.
One that united several Pittsburgh partners to combat hunger and food insecurity in the region by launching an important fundraising program.
The #BurghProud Challenge is a joint effort between the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins, in partnership with the Richard King Mellon Foundation and GoFundMe, to raise critical funds and awareness for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Rooted in fitness and rallying communities, the kicker involves a $1 million matching grant by the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
It’s yet another way for the city to rally around a common cause.
“Teams in Pittsburgh share more than colors,” Pirates President Travis Williams said. “We share fans. We share neighborhoods. We also share a responsibility to help those in need within our community.
“Now is an opportunity to use the power of sports for something bigger than what happens on the field.”
The #BurghProud Challenge is actually very simple. Here’s how it works:
• Participants are encouraged to walk or run 30 miles in 30 days throughout June, in the process starting GoFundMe pages for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
• They’re encouraged to raise as much as they can while sharing progress with family, friends and the community.
• The teams and the Richard King Mellon Foundation will provide incentives.
A #BurghProud T-shirt can be earned when a participant raises $25. There’s access to special #BurghProud experiences for those raising $2,500 or more. The Richard King Mellon Foundation will match every dollar up to $1 million.
“We’ve awarded more than $7.5 million to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, but I don’t think we’ve ever made a food bank grant with greater potential impact than this one,” said Sam Reiman, Director and Trustee at the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
“That comes from the unprecedented collaboration that you see here today, though the best collaboration is still to come.”
The need is real, said Lisa Scales, President and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Across the 11-county region the organization serves, one in five children and one in eight people overall are food insecure. That issue grows during the summer months, when children lose access to school-provided meals.
That need was part of what led to the creation of the #BurghProud Challenge.
But so was the success of the three teams working together to help the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank dating back to COVID.
It’s become a tradition, distributing Thanksgiving meals outside of PNC Park. Think of this as a mid-year check-in and something anybody can do.
“That’s really what today is about – neighbors standing with neighbors,” Scales said. “We want to ensure everyone in our community has access to enough nutritious food to lead a healthy life.”
The event itself showcased the mutual respect that exists between the three teams. Pirates play-by-play man Joe Block served as the emcee, and cracked a joke when introducing the pride of Pine-Richland, Neil Walker.
Jeff Carter represented the Penguins along with Yvonne Maher, who’s the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. Carter and Maher were reminded of Pittsburgh sports fans’ passion this season, as the hockey club defied expectations and reached the Stanley Cup playoffs.
They’re hoping to see more on a charitable, community-focused level in June.
“Time and time again, [Pittsburgh sports fans] have proven their support goes far beyond the game,” Maher said. “The need is real. This is a chance for all of us to do something about it.”
The Steelers are plenty familiar with the food bank, as well. It’s a part of rookie minicamp to volunteer there. Throughout the season, players and coaches regularly participate in backpack drives and food distributions.
But with summer approaching and routines changing for area families, Steelers Senior Director of Community Relations Holmes Davis said the organization couldn’t be more #BurghProud and eager to support this initiative.
“Beyond what happens on game days, there’s something off the field that has always united the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates,” Holmes Davis said. “That’s showing up for our community when it matters most. This is one of those times.
“When we come together, we can ensure our neighbors have the tools, support and resources that they need.”
Williams knows as well as anyone the impact our teams uniting can have. He’s been on the Penguins side and now the Pirates side. He’s a regular at the Thanksgiving distribution event, carrying turkeys, Giant Eagle pies or simply chatting with fans.
Same as that event, this is about leaning in and supporting a worthy cause, the way Pittsburghers always seem to do.
“The need across the region continues to grow, and there’s a real urgency to act,” Williams said. “Led by our chairman, Bob Nutting, Pirates Charities and the Pirates have a longstanding relationship with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. We’ve hosted distributions at PNC Park along with our fellow teams.
“Now, through the #BurghProud Challenge, we’re continuing our commitment to fight hunger and support the most vulnerable neighbors in our community. Today is an invitation to be a part of something bigger than yourselves.”
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.