WELCOME BASKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO NEW RESIDENTS BY THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS ALLIANCE. | PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS ALLIANCE

This week, Downtown Neighbors Alliance — a Pittsburgh nonprofit — is launching their welcome kits program, delivering baskets with Pittsburgh surprises and discounts to new Downtown residents in an effort to get them more involved in what the city has to offer.

Why now?

“If not now, then when?” said John Valentine, executive director of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, who aims to get Downtown residents more engaged with city living.

The welcome kits give new residents an incentive to discover more about their neighborhood and maybe even find their new favorite spot in town. In addition, the businesses that participate gain more patrons and attention, alliance officials said.

Numerous Downtown businesses, cultural attractions and restaurants have contributed such items as gift cards, discount offers or promotions (such as discounts on theater and live shows and gym membership) as well as insider tips for the baskets, according to Hadley Cohen, Downtown Neighbors Alliance’s public relations representative.

Some of the participating companies include Pittsburgh Opera, Arcade Comedy Theater and restaurants like The Commoner, Alihan’s and Yuzu Bar & Kitchen.

The Downtown Neighbors Alliance is actively growing their connections, for both the benefit of the new residents and of the local economy. Currently, there are about 7,000 people who live Downtown, and efforts are underway to develop another 1,000 residential units in the Golden Triangle over the next 10 years.

Residents who live in seven residential buildings will be receiving the first deliveries, starting with Keystone Loft condos, 951 Liberty Ave. on Wednesday, July 9. Mayor Ed Gainey will be along to help deliver those first 150 baskets, Cohen said. Depending on building regulations, they will either be bringing them to front lobbies and leaving them with building managers or taking them straight to residents.

To get participating residences more involved, Cohen said they have several resident ambassadors who live in these buildings and have volunteered to work more directly with Downtown Neighbors Alliance to keep programming alive with their neighbors and community.

“It’s not a one-and-done, it’s a continuation,” Valentine said about the basket deliveries. “We are always looking to bring more residents in.”

The alliance each month plans to deliver a new wave of the baskets for Downtown’s newest residents.

It also has another event planned in partnership with UFC Gym in Market Square. It’s just one piece of the alliance’s bigger venture, the Living Well Initiative, to promote healthy living Downtown.

The alliance will be joining with restaurants and other businesses to promote awareness and affordable access to foods rich in nutrients, improve walkability and other active forms of transportation, increase access to affordable fitness programs and more, according to the Downtown Neighbors Alliance website.

Among the opportunities will be free gym memberships for a year, and organizers will be looking for other programs and deals for the future.

The kick-off party will be held in Market Square on July 15 at 6 p.m., to learn more about the program’s perks, enjoy some nutritious snacks and check out the UFC gym. Those interested in attending should RSVP here.