Community Gears Up for Mile of Cans Fundraiser

Judy Littell said it might just be the best-kept secret in Moon.

“You’d be surprised how many people don’t even know we have a food pantry in Moon Township,” said Littell, organizer for this weekend’s Mile of Cans fundraiser. “They’ll say we don’t need a food pantry in Moon, but last week they served 185 families.” 

The at 10 a.m. Saturday will be host for the 15th annual fundraiser to benefit the

The event serves as the largest annual food and money-raiser for the Moon-based pantry, which is housed on church grounds. Several Moon businesses and churches, including , have pledged to take an active role in the effort.

Longtime pantry director  said the event provides critical donations for the nonprofit organization, which serves families in need from the Moon, Crescent, Coraopolis and Neville Island communities.

The pantry has seen an of clientele this year and a downturn in donations.

“Well, the event means a lot to us,” Hershberger said. “Donations are down and our numbers are up so we’re hopeful we’ll have a good turn out.” 

At 10 a.m. volunteers will take to Moon neighborhoods, knocking on doors to solicit canned good donations; collection bags have been distributed to each neighborhood. The volunteers will then bring the donations back to the church, where they will wind around the building until reaching the mile-marker.

Pantry workers will sort and check the items before distributing them to Moon-area residents. 

As many as 16,000 cans might be needed to reach the end point. Hershberger said residents can bring cans to the event, which is open to the public, on Saturday, or drop them off ahead of time at the church.

Organizers said this year’s event is a transitional one: In the past, the event has been held along Thorn Run Road. This year will mark its first on the grounds of the Sharon Community Presbyterian Church. 

“We hope that with being in a different place, the event will be more visible,” Littell said. “We really want this to be a community event.” 

A portion of Carnot Road will be closed for the event, but University Boulevard will remain open to motorists. 

Hershberger and Littell said the pantry was still seeking donations for the event as well as volunteers to go door-to-door Saturday morning. Some and  students are already onboard for the effort, Littell said.

“Every can and every dollar counts,” Hershberger said.

Check back with Patch for coverage of the event this weekend.

Fast facts about the fundraiser:

• Moon Area elementary students helped collect cans for the effort. Students held can drives at school open houses in September, gathering a total of 635 cans.

• had a drive and collected 1,755 cans and a monetary donation for the event.

• The event begins at 10 a.m. and will last until the afternoon. There will activities for young children in the afternoon. 

• Monetary donations can still be sent to 522 Carnot Road Moon Township, PA 15108. Please put “MOC” in the memo line. You can call 412-264-9392 to find out more about volunteering.