t’s painful to think about. For some, it brings back visceral childhood memories.
But the problem of childhood hunger in America, despite federal programs like No Child Hungry, and school breakfast and lunch programs, has not abated. In fact, the most recent data available indicates that it has grown. Considerably.
About 19 percent of children in the U. S — 13.4 million kids — lack reliable access to adequate food, according to 2022 data on child food insecurity. In Allegheny County, recent data states that 16.6 percent of its children, or more than 38,000, face food insecurity on a regular basis.
Former Mt. Lebanon resident Jennifer McDowell, a mother and activist, was alarmed at the prospect of so many children growing up without adequate nutrition during the critical years of childhood brain and body development. She gathered like-minded friends together — Lisa Markowski, Lea Anderson and Joyce Salls — all passionate about food justice and children’s health, and over months of meetings, research, and interviews with other nonprofits, created a “giving circle” — a grassroots collection of people, resources and money to support an issue they all cared deeply about: childhood hunger. They obtained their 501 (c) (3) status and officially launched Giving2Grow (G2G) in December 2013.
Since then, G2G has grown to more than 90 members. G2G has funded more than $500,000 to 23 nonprofit organizations working to address childhood hunger in the seven counties of southwestern Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties).
The model is simple: members pay an annual fee to join G2G. Membership was originally established at $500, explains G2G president and CEO Debbie Schneider, but members voted to change the fee to a three-tiered system to make it more affordable, and to attract young families.
“It’s a simple concept that’s so clean and transparent,” explained McDowell. “There’s no pressure to give more. Each member has equal say in determining to whom the money goes and how much the organization receives.”
Here’s how it works: prospective grantees are invited to apply for funding for their projects — their guiding mission must align with G2G’s mission statement: “To alleviate hunger for the children of southwestern Pennsylvania.”
Grant applications are due by the end of July. In August and the first half of September, the Grants Committee reviews applications from organizations throughout the region. From mid-September through October, volunteers visit locations to meet leadership and volunteers, see their work and compile a list of finalists to make presentations to the membership prior to voting. Members vote on the grant awards in early December.
Grant seekers may apply for a maximum of $10,000. Those selected for funding are allowed to submit one application each year for three consecutive years, after which they’re required to take a two-year break before applying again. Grants are capped at a total of $25,000 for any one applicant.
G2G members can become as involved as they choose to be, by serving on the board, or on committees, including the grants committee, site visit committee, membership committee, ad hoc event planning, or voting for one of the finalists up for consideration. They plan no additional fundraising activities for the year — no galas, bake sales or product peddling by members.
Their smaller size and focused mission enabled Giving2Grow to directly provide funds to service providers who are already committed to the children, families, and needs of their communities.
Past Grantees
Giving2Grow’s grant to South Hills Interfaith Movement’s Whitehall Presbyterian Church Garden provided the beds, soil, tools and plants for the garden, and funding that covers gardening instruction for children in its
afterschool program.
The East End United Community Center in Uniontown offers a variety of no-cost programs in their under-resourced community. Their Garden to Give teaches participants to grow, harvest and prepare dishes made with their garden’s bounty produce to give to community members.
Beverly’s, formerly known as “Beverly’s Birthdays,” still organizes and provides birthday cheer for children of families in need, including homeless families. Their mission has expanded to provide infant nourishment and basic care products, such as formula, skin care products and baby food. In 2022, Beverly’s also established Allegheny County’s first formula bank for
WIC recipients.
Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs, sponsored by Felician Ministries, serves a low-income, primarily Latino rental community that is without access to regular transportation and groceries. Mooncrest provides healthy food daily for 60 children through their after-school and summer camp programs. More than 90 families receive produce and food from their community garden and new greenhouse. Volunteers help residents in myriad important ways affecting children and families: school enrollment, transportation to healthcare, translation,
and employment.
As a G2G member, Howard Hanna Realtor Ruth Foltz enjoys discovering the abundance of nonprofits that do good work, but don’t often get publicity for it. “It’s exciting to learn about organizations you had never heard about,” she said. “The depth of difference they’ve made (in their communities) is incredible.” G2G president Schneider applauds the giving model they follow: visiting the sites and seeing the grant money used to purchase a new refrigerator, or backpacks filled with school supplies for a class of elementary school students, or a collection of gardening tools. Cutting through the delays of traditional grantmaking to get needed funds to the nonprofits directly? That’s a great feeling.
“It’s really powerful that we members fund every cent of these grants,” added Schneider. “Getting the funds directly to these organizations — that’s how we really like to help.”