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The Building Block of Natrona
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Programming Overview
    • Veggies for All
    • The Cosmetics Closet
    • Natrona Community Pantry
    • Summer Youth Program
    • Live Well Allegheny
  • Donate
    • Online Donation
    • Sponsorships
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Around the Block
    • Our Partners
  • The Need

A Very Successful 2018!

12/29/2018

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We've come a long way in a short amount of time. The Building Block of Natrona was merely an idea that we talked about a couple of years ago. Today, we're operating programs that meet family needs with an army of volunteers and a small, but effective, budget.

This post will take a look back at what we've achieved, and who we've helped, in the few months that our programs have been operating. And, we'll close with a look ahead to what's in store for 2019!

And, most of all, I want everyone who has been a part of this organization to know how much good you're doing and how much we appreciate you.

Thank you!

Our Neighbors

We've held three Veggies for All events with the first occurring on October 20th. In that time, we've reached a significant number of families in Natrona:

  • Our food has helped 378 individuals within the families served by the program:
  • More than 80 percent of the individuals served report annual income below the federal poverty level.
  • 92% of individuals showing for the events are from Natrona.
  • We have delivered food to 33 shut-ins in Natrona.
  • "Extra" food has been distributed through the PNA in Natrona and Dalton's Edge in Tarentum.

We also launched our first Cosmetics Closet program in December. This program also reached a significant number of residents in its first month:
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  • Crest toothpaste (both adult and youth) and toothbrushes distributed.
  • Products benefited 131 individuals in the families served.
  • Similarly, more than 80 percent of the individuals served report annual income below the federal poverty level.

Our Volunteers


Our Partners

With limited funding (for now), no building of our own, and no paid staff, The Building Block of Natrona obviously relies heavily on partnerships and in-kind donations. Some very generous people and organizations have been willing to help us. We'd like to acknowledge some of our organizational partners in this space.
 
  • 412 Food Rescue: provides free produce and healthy food donations monthly for Natrona residents.
  • Knights of Columbus Council 2602: the Knights have allowed us to use their building on Garfield Street monthly to host our outreach events. (They also make a great pancake breakfast!) 
  • Stephanie Allegretti: you may not know Stephanie, who is an artist and graphic designer. She designed the Building Block of Natrona logo at no cost.
  • Natrona Comes Together Association: so much work started years ago with this tremendous organization which we're proud to collaborate with and hope, that together, we may do more to help this great community. 
  • Boy Scouts of America Troop 180, Tarentum - thank you for volunteering.
  • Several organizations already have donated products to distribute to residents, committed to future donations or offered items to help us fundraise, including: Pittsburgh Steelers, Eat'n Park, Applebees, Pittsburgh Zoo, Bob's Sub, the Oakmont Bakery and J&S Pizza. Thanks to all of these organizations.

Coming in 2019

We have big plans for 2019. We'll provide more details as these things evolve.
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  • Veggies for All expansion
  • Cosmetics Closet expansion
  • Adding health clinics and educational outreach events.
  • Diapers: We are on the waiting list with the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank.
  • Offering utility assistance information.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers have generously provided a signed photograph of star player Antonio Brown, which we will auction off in January to raise funds. Our thanks to the Steelers!
  • Mass transit: We will continue to lobby Port Authority in 2019 to extend bus service into Natrona and nearby neighborhoods that need access to food, retail and jobs.
  • Building - we need a building! The Building Block of Natrona will work hard in 2019 to determine how we might secure a building in the community to operate from.
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Contact

724-257-1117
office@everyblockcounts.org

Copyright © 2018-21 The Building Block of Natrona

  • Home
  • Programs
    • Programming Overview
    • Veggies for All
    • The Cosmetics Closet
    • Natrona Community Pantry
    • Summer Youth Program
    • Live Well Allegheny
  • Donate
    • Online Donation
    • Sponsorships
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Around the Block
    • Our Partners
  • The Need