Rainbow Kitchen Community Services

The complex job of providing nutritional assistance goes far beyond opening a food pantry.

The traditional model of food assistance — where those in need can pick up groceries and other essential items — is a key part of Rainbow Kitchen Community Services, an anti-hunger organization based in Homestead. The services offered by the nonprofit, however, are varied.

“We try to be really aware of what the actual needs are in the community and how we might be able to best meet them,” says Donna Little, executive director of the 36-year-old organization. “We’ve evolved over time to continue to meet the needs of the community — and the community has evolved. The people who lost their jobs in the mills back in the ’80s,” when Rainbow Kitchen was founded, “are now [some of] the low-income seniors that we’re serving.”

Rainbow Kitchen also offers a substantial, hot breakfast every weekday morning at its Homestead headquarters. Four additional pantry programs deliver food to low-income elderly and disabled individuals living in retirement apartment complexes. Additionally, Rainbow Kitchen’s Kids Cafe program provides low-income children at risk of hunger with a hot dinner every weeknight.

Non-perishable food items — including low-salt, low-sugar and other foods for those with dietary restrictions — and toiletry and household items are always needed.

Case management services coordinated by Rainbow Kitchen also help clients address issues ranging from continued food insecurity to family support and mental health needs.

“We work with [clients] directly to provide them with help that we are able to provide,” Little says, and also “to find what else is going on that they may need help with — and to meet those emergency needs that might come up.”

How to Donate

• Call 412/464-1892 to make arrangements for a drop-off of non-perishable food items and household goods. Drop-offs will be made at 135 E. 9th Ave. in Homestead.
• More information and resources can be found on the organization’s website, rainbowkitchen.org.
• Cash donations are also needed to supplement food donations and administer programs. A donation link, as well as more information on how to donate, can be found at: rainbowkitchen.org/donate
• Rainbow Kitchen’s food pantry serves those in need in Homestead, West Homestead, Whitaker, Munhall, West Mifflin and Duquesne. Other programs do not have geographic restrictions. Those in need from the service area can call 412/464-1892 to make arrangements to join the pantry program or gain more information about programs.
• Needs tend to increase in the winter, and Little expects that additional challenges related to the pandemic will create “unprecedented” demand this year.