The Steelers and Giant Eagle partnered to help fight food insecurity, providing groceries and necessities to families through the Best of the Batch Foundation.
Steelers players were on hand to help pack the food bags, before families were invited to take part and ensure they have enough to get them through difficult times.
“During these trying times, the holiday season, grocery prices are going up,” said former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, who runs the foundation with his wife, Latasha. “It’s a line item people can’t predict what it looks like. During this holiday time, as people are preparing for Christmas with presents, they forget about the other necessities that they may need. It doesn’t matter if it’s pillows, towel sets, dish sets, pot sets. And food. They’re skimping on food and those type of things. And that’s why we try to make this holiday season an experience for them. Not just including the presents but also including the food so people can actually sit down and enjoy a holiday meal.
“Those are things that we take for granted at times. But over the last few months, it’s been challenging. We’ve seen the stress that it has put on families. So, to have this particular thing go on here, we’re truly grateful for people believing in us, but also stepping up to the forefront to be able to assist families in need.”
The Best of the Batch Foundation runs an annual holiday toy drive, and on Christmas Eve they distribute not just toys, but gift baskets and household necessities to families.
Getting a helping hand with the food, especially with food insecurity peaking, gives them a helping hand they need.
“You don’t necessarily hear about food insecurity because people don’t want to ask for help. They’re embarrassed to do so,” said Batch. “But you see it, and you see the signs. The guidance counselors, they alert us. The kids come in and they’re hungrier than ever. There’s a lot that depend on school for breakfast and lunch, but we provide a hot meal for them at five o’clock. So, you see the ones that are coming in a little bit hungry or so and we try to make it a point to give them a little heavier carbs because maybe that’s the last meal that they receive the rest of the day.
“We saw it heightened last month when everybody was unsure what the SNAP benefits were. So, the SNAP benefits and the uncertainties that are going on there, you just don’t know. And nobody knew at that particular point. It hurt the budgets for people’s families and those types of things. You see it heighten and it’s just unfortunate.
“Being able to be that bridge for people and assistant families, those are things that we’re truly grateful for.”