Sammartino Foundation donates $10,000 to food bank

Paul Guggenheimer
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 7:33 p.m. | Wednesday, April 1, 2020 7:33 p.m.

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Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank volunteer Cynthia Dallas, left, lifts a box of food to load into cars for families Monday, March 30, at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s drive-up distribution in Duquesne.

With the needs of area families growing steadily during the covid-19 crisis, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank received a boost Wednesday.

The Bruno and Carol Sammartino Foundation is making a $10,000 donation to the food bank.

The food bank’s Brian Gulish said the $10,000 would provide 50,000 meals. The timing of the donation was welcomed, as the need for food in the Western Pennsylvania area has rapidly increased during the pandemic.

The food bank provided food to about 4,000 at three recent distribution events. On Monday the demand was so high that 300 cars lined up at food bank’s headquarters in Duquesne before the distribution began.

“My mother is very pleased to know that this donation will provide immediate food to those in need of meals at this time,” said Darryl Sammartino, executive director for the Bruno and Carol Sammartino Foundation. “This is exactly the type of support that would make my late father very proud.”