NHCO Program Supports Father's Plan to Better Himself and the World

William, a father of three, came to NHCO for transportation assistance so he could get to his job as a caretaker for a senior services company. But it didn’t take long for Coordinator Michelle Smith to see that William had bigger goals.

“Do as much as I can and try to make an impact on the world,” William said in his usual soft and humble voice. “That’s my biggest main goal.”

NHCO’s Pathways Program helps individuals and families find stability and self-reliance by addressing long-term challenges, not just immediate needs.

“I noticed he is the most focused, committed, cooperative client... someone that’s reliable. He’s a perfect Pathways client,” Michelle added.

The first step was to get a bus pass to help William get to work. Now they’re working together to buy a car through a grant program. Then they did some financial planning that included building his credit.

William’s long-term dream is to own a landscaping business. They’re currently looking into horticultural educational programs. He feels that’s the best way to make a positive impact on his kids and the world.

He also enjoyed other perks of the program, including getting a Thanksgiving meal for him and his kids through NHCO’s Thanksgiving on Every Table Sharing Project and gifts through our Holiday Toy Shop.

Due to some troubles he has experienced in the past, he has some situations and hurdles to get over. Luckily, that’s why The Pathways Program is here.

“I’m a new person everyday. I’m not at the level I was yesterday.” Looking ahead, William hopes to one day help others who have experienced similar hardships — or, as he puts it, to “change some lives.”

Most people wouldn’t consider spending a Friday evening taking a math test to be fun. But 170 students proved otherwise at the Metro Math Competition, where competitors enthusiastically took a test while vying for the best grades.

"We just wanted to create one (competition) where kids can come without the pressure of having to do good and just come to do math for fun and build the community," said Havisha, a senior at North Allegheny High School who organized the event.

Proceeds from the event’s entry fees benefited three nonprofit organizations, including a $5,000 donation to NHCO. Havisha selected our organization because food insecurity is impacting our community, especially during the holidays when the competition took place.

The participants were elementary and middle school students, mostly from North Allegheny. According to Thrisha, Havisha’s sister and co-organizer, the questions are more creative than traditional tests and emphasize problem-solving. Volunteers graded the exams before winners were awarded.

The Metro Math Competition demonstrates that people of any age can make a positive difference, and that doing good in the community can be creative and come from the most unlikely places.

One Job Saved, a New Job Found for Two NHCO Transportation Clients

The goal of NHCO’s Transportation Financial Assistance Program is simple: help people make it to work so they can support themselves and their families.

For Tonni, a single mother who recently gained custody of her grandchild, having a reliable car is essential. Like many of us, she relies on her car to get to her full-time job. But recent costly repairs, including a new axle and power steering rack, were beyond her financial reach. With help from Angela Kearns, NHCO’s Transportation Resource Coordinator, Tonni was able to cover the costs and stay on the road.

“I wouldn't have been able to keep my job due to attendance,” Tonni said. “But thanks to them (NHCO) I was able to keep my job and be able to take care of my children and granddaughter."

Marquise faced a similar challenge. Her car needed service before passing inspection. She was laid off in August, and her unemployment payments could not cover the cost of the repairs. The car was essential in her search for work. Realizing she was in a tough situation, Angela stepped in to help.

“Just being able to drive legally while handling all of this has been a huge relief,” Marquise said. “I truly appreciate it."

"Helping someone with their car repairs was more than just fixing a car—it was about easing their stress and giving them one less thing to worry about,” Angela said. “Seeing how relieved and grateful they were made it feel truly special.”

Desire to Teach Kids What's Important Inspires Head Kettle Elf

From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, bells rang nearly nonstop as part of NHCO’s Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. Volunteers filled the holiday air with cheerful bells, jolly carols, and rockin’ guitar sounds while standing outside Kuhn’ in Allison Park and Walmart in Gibsonia.

But before the festive season could begin, we needed to find a very dedicated volunteer to serve as Head Elf and oversee the fundraising project. Kelly, who is an experienced ringer, saw the position as a great way to teach her children valuable life lessons.

“I'm a single mom of two teens and a few years ago, I had been looking for opportunities to teach my kids all the things...kindness, understanding, supporting others,” Kelly said.

She managed more than 170 volunteers, both experienced and novices. Her prime role was ensuring all two-hour shifts were covered, each ringer had a bell, and each team had a kettle.

Thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and Kelly’s leadership, the campaign was a tremendous success, raising $21,371.68 to support NHCO's Emergency Assistance programs.

"The people and the families and the communities that come together to make this project happen are the lifeblood,” Kelly said. “I just wanted to do my very best to assist and serve them as they rock this project.”

The responsibility did come with some stress. She sometimes worried she’d forget a step and her volunteers wouldn’t be equipped to do their job. But, according to Kelly, her selfless and caring team always came together to ensure the campaign’s success.

“Where the ROCKSTAR volunteers proved once again that every moment and every effort matters greatly. That we can absolutely make a difference," Kelly added.

Creativity in Giving: How One Donor Made a Year-Round Impact

In partnership with Sam’s Club, an anonymous donor made it possible for 98 local families to receive annual membership to the wholesale club. Inspired by our holiday food distribution, this donor wanted to look beyond the season and create an impact that would be felt all year long.

“In these hard times, families have to work together,” one client shared. “This Sam’s Club membership has made that possible.” This client revealed that she splits the cost of paper goods, cleaning supplies, and even some food items with another family, since her new Sam's Club membership allows her to buy everything in bulk.

For families living on tight budgets, buying in bulk can reduce grocery costs by an average of twenty-five percent. That savings adds up quickly, meaning more food on the table and fewer tough choices between essentials.

This donor’s creativity turned a holiday gift into something that truly lasts. By thinking beyond the season, he found a way to help families stretch their budgets and make life a little easier all year long.

What Does Hygiene Poverty Look Like?

Hygiene poverty isn’t a term you hear every day, but for millions of people in America, it’s an uncomfortable and often painful reality.

For many of our neighbors, staying clean isn’t as simple as stocking up during the next trip to the store. When every dollar matters, families often face an impossible choice: heat, eat or health. In those moments, basic personal care items become luxuries rather than essentials.

It’s more than running out of shampoo or forgetting deodorant. It’s the accumulated, daily stress of not having what you need to feel confident, comfortable, and prepared.

• It’s going to a job interview not feeling confident because you’re worried about body odor.

• It’s choosing between shaving cream and a razor or deodorant and toothpaste.

• It’s missing work because you don’t have access to period products.

• It’s washing your hair with hand soap because shampoo isn’t in the budget.

• It’s being bullied at school because your family can’t afford the hygiene items everyone assumes you have.

These situations take a toll, not only on physical health, but also on mental, social, and emotional well-being. They chip away at a person’s sense of dignity. They make it harder to confidently show up in the world.

What makes this issue more challenging is that programs like SNAP and WIC don’t cover hygiene items. Families are left without the resources to buy toothpaste, soap, deodorant, or other necessities.

Each year, NHCO provides every individual and family we serve with a bag of personal care items so they can feel clean, confident, and cared for. Learn how you can help at NHCO.org/sharing-project-donations

Events and Fundraisers NHCO.org/fundraisers

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.

Personal Care Collection, Now - April 13

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits cannot be used to purchase personal care items. NHCO collects these items and gives them to families and individuals who use our food pantries.

You can order items from our Amazon Wishlist and have them sent directly to our office. Or hold a collection and deliver them to any of our three offices Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

We are collecting full size:

• Lip Balm

• Dental Floss

• Shaving Cream

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Washcloth or Loofa

• Deodorant

• Body Lotion*

• Bar of Soap*

• Shower Gel*

* Unscented preferred

Spring Cleaning Collection, April 13 - June 8

SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase cleaning supplies. These items can be an extra expense that many low-income families cannot afford. We’re holding a collection so we can provide each family with a bag of cleaning supplies to make their home sparkle.

You can order items from our Amazon Wishlist or Walmart Wishlist and have them sent directly to our office.

We are collecting:

• Laundry Detergent (size under 100oz)

• Disinfecting Wipes

• All-Purpose Cleaner

• Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• Dish Detergent

• Packs of Sponges

• Rolls of Paper Towels

• Canvas Shopping Bags

Six 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 x3131

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."

Thank You Notes!

"I don't think of you as the person that drives the van. I see you as a person listener. You are a great woman that makes sure that my sis and I get a Thanksgiving meal and that I get a Christmas gift. Don't ever change. You're one of God's angels on Earth."

A note to Nikkia Zipf who coordinates NHCO's Free Rides for Seniors Shuttle.

 "I appreciate all the things I got today because I really needed a coat in this icy cold with wind."

A client who received a coat, hat and gloves through NHCO's coat drive

"I just wanted to say thank you to you, and the whole NHCO team, for your generosity, and coordinating a toy drive. The gifts we received from you guys were more than we could've ever expected or hoped for. Our kids are going to have a wonderful Christmas. I can't express how grateful we are."

A parent who received gifts through NHCO's Annual Toy Collection

"You guys are wonderful- You have made my life 100% better in my waning years. I can not express my delight in meeting so many wonderful people."

A client in NHCO's Older Adult Program