Pittsburgh Teams to Host Food Distribution Nov. 24
The Penguins, Pirates and Steelers will hand out food to 350 local families at the annual Burgh Proud event on the North Shore.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Penguins, Pirates and Steelers will hold their annual 'Burgh Proud food distribution for 350 local families on November 24, 2026. The event follows the Burgh Proud Challenge, which raised more than $1.1 million.
Why it matters
The teams have partnered with The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank year-round and expanded their food assistance commitment in 2021 to support neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The distribution offers a direct, no-registration source of food for Pittsburgh households ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Burgh Proud Challenge raised more than $1.1 million, including a $1 million pledge from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, through more than 3,500 fundraisers. The November 24 distribution is expected to serve 350 families, though the teams have not yet released the final time and location.
The players
Pittsburgh Penguins
The NHL franchise based in Pittsburgh that partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank year-round and co-hosts the Burgh Proud distribution.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Major League Baseball franchise based in Pittsburgh that co-hosts the Burgh Proud food distribution alongside the Penguins and Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh that co-hosts the Burgh Proud food distribution alongside the Penguins and Pirates.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
The regional food bank serving Pittsburgh that the three sports teams partner with year-round to provide food assistance.
Richard King Mellon Foundation
A Pittsburgh-based philanthropic foundation that pledged $1 million to the Burgh Proud Challenge.
The details
The food distribution includes turkeys and boxes with sweet potatoes, radishes, carrots, onions and dry supplies, and recipients also receive Giant Eagle gift cards. The event is held every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving on the North Shore, and no registration is required to attend.
Timeline
Since 2021: Teams expanded their food assistance commitment during the pandemic.
June: The Burgh Proud Challenge included a walking requirement of one mile a day.
Weekend before November 24, 2026: Teams will publish time and location details on social media.
November 24, 2026: The 2026 Burgh Proud food distribution will serve 350 families.
Season Trajectory
The Burgh Proud food distribution has been held every year since its creation on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving on the North Shore, and the 2026 event continues that tradition. The three teams' expanded food assistance commitment, which began in 2021, places this distribution within a multi-year effort rather than a one-time response.
Pittsburgh residents who need food support for Thanksgiving can attend the November 24 distribution without registering, so no advance sign-up is required. Those planning to attend should watch the teams' social media the weekend before the event for the exact time and North Shore location.
The takeaway
Pittsburgh residents who want to support the effort can give in person at any PNC Bank, which will match donations up to $100,000. Donations can also be made online, by texting 'kdturkey' to 50155, or by mailing a check.
What happens next
The teams will publish the distribution time and location on their social media platforms the weekend before November 24, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local giving efforts, explore Pittsburgh Philanthropy coverage.
More information
Donations can be made through the KDKA Turkey Fund online donation page, where PNC Bank will match in-person donations up to $100,000.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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