'Mile of Cans' Set for Saturday at West Hills Food Pantry

Sandy Hershberger, director of the West Hills Food Pantry, said 23 families applied for the first time to receive food through the pantry in September. 

"That's some kind of record," Hershberger said. "It's an unusually high number for just one month." 

Hershberger said as the pantry prepares to host its annual Mile of Cans fundraiser and can drive, monetary donations as the Carnot Road organization are on the decline while the number of clientele seeking services has increased. 

"We see so many people who are working and just can't make it," Hershberger said. 

Mile of Cans, now in its 18th year, serves as the pantry's largest collection event. Volunteers hope to gather more than 15,840 canned goods—enough to stretch a mile when lined end-to-end. 

Hersberger said the food gathered during the event can help feed the pantry's clientele over a three-month period. 

"Our finanical contributions are down right now, so this (year's event) is very important," Hershberger said. 

Founded in 1986, the food pantry is operated entirely by volunteers and serves families in Moon, Crescent, Coraopolis and Neville Island. 

The event opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of Sharon Community Presbyterian Church and will run through the afternoon. 

Interested in helping out? Here's how you can get involved. 

• Volunteers will canvass Moon Township neighborhoods on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 13. Residents are asked to pitch in and donate canned goods during the collection period. 

• The public can also drop off canned goods and non-perishable food items at the Sharon Community Presbyterian Church beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday through the afternoon. Volunteers will be on hand to collect items in the church's parking lot. 

• Pantry volunteers will also be on hand at Kmart on Beaver Grade Road and Walgreens on Brodhead Road. Monetary and food donations will be accepted and brought to the pantry to be counted.

• Want to lend a helping hand? Hershberger said the pantry is still looking for volunteers to go door-to-door for can collection and help sort and count canned goods. Volunteers can simply show up at the Sharon Community Presbyterian Church before 10 a.m. Saturday.

Check back with Patch for coverage.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated Kuhn's Market in Moon Township was a satellite location for the can drive, due to receiving incorrect information. The above article has been corrected. The satellite locations include Kmart and Walgreens in Moon Township.