Pittsburgh Teams to Distribute Food to 350 Families
Local businesses and sponsors can see a year-round partnership model that ties a $1.1 million fundraising drive to an annual food distribution.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Pittsburgh's Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers will hold the 'Burgh Proud food distribution for 350 local families on November 24, 2026, on the North Shore. The event is a Pittsburgh philanthropy effort that follows a Burgh Proud Challenge which raised more than $1.1 million.
Why it matters
The three teams began expanding their food assistance commitment in 2021 and said they wanted to do more for neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Pittsburgh businesses, the effort shows how a regional sports partnership is channeling corporate and sponsor dollars toward food security rather than only game-day promotion.
The Burgh Proud Challenge raised more than $1.1 million from over 3,500 fundraisers, anchored by a $1 million Richard King Mellon Foundation pledge. The 2026 food distribution is planned for 350 families, and PNC Bank will match in-person KDKA Turkey Fund donations up to $100,000.
The players
Pittsburgh Penguins
The National Hockey League franchise based in Pittsburgh, participating in the year-round food assistance partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Major League Baseball franchise based in Pittsburgh, participating in the year-round food assistance partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The National Football League franchise based in Pittsburgh, participating in the year-round food assistance partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Richard King Mellon Foundation
A Pittsburgh-based private philanthropic foundation that pledged $1 million to the Burgh Proud Challenge.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
The regional food bank serving Pittsburgh that partners with the three sports teams on year-round food assistance.
The details
The food distribution includes turkeys and food boxes containing sweet potatoes, radishes, carrots, onions, and dry supplies, with Giant Eagle gift cards provided at the event. No registration is required for attendees. The teams work with The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank year-round, and the distribution has been held each year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving on the North Shore since its creation.
Timeline
Since 2021: The three teams expanded their food support commitment during the pandemic.
June (earlier this year): The Burgh Proud Challenge walking component asked participants to walk a mile a day, for 30 miles total.
Weekend prior to November 24: The teams plan to publish time and location details on their social media platforms.
November 24, 2026: The 2026 Burgh Proud food distribution for 350 families takes place on the North Shore.
Market Landscape
Professional sports franchises in Pittsburgh have increasingly paired community giving with fundraising campaigns, with this effort growing out of a 2021 pandemic-era expansion of food support. The Burgh Proud model ties a sponsor-backed fundraising challenge to a single annual distribution that the teams have run since its creation.
Pittsburgh businesses that sponsor local sports or charitable campaigns may see similar year-round partnership models as a way to tie community giving to brand visibility. Operators who want to participate can give through the KDKA Turkey Fund, where PNC Bank matches in-person donations up to $100,000, and should consult a qualified accountant on how any charitable contribution is treated for their business.
The takeaway
Businesses considering community giving can treat the Burgh Proud model as a year-round partnership template rather than a single seasonal drive. Operators interested in donating can text 'kdturkey' to 50155 or visit kdkaturkeyfund.com, and should confirm any tax treatment with a qualified accountant.
What happens next
The Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers will publish time and location details for the November 24, 2026 food distribution on their social media platforms the weekend before the event.
Further reading
For more on how local foundations and corporate partners are directing charitable dollars, see Philanthropy coverage.
More information
Donations can be made online through the KDKA Turkey Fund donation page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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