The Downtown Community Takeout

Thanks to the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the City of Pittsburgh, private donations, and an anonymous donor, the PDP partnered with 412 Food Rescue for the Downtown Community Takeout program to provide nearly 70,000 meals to those struggling with food insecurity.

The PDP purchased meals from independent Downtown restaurants for delivery to food insecure populations in the Pittsburgh region. Restaurants each provided 100-250 meals on a weekly schedule for 24 weeks which were delivered to both private homes and organizations for further distribution to those in need. 412 Food Rescue provided meal pick-up and delivery to the end user through a system of volunteers.

COVID-19 permanently shuttered several Downtown restaurants and created dire circumstances for the other independently owned restaurants who experienced on average a 75% annual revenue loss from pre-pandemic.

$548,800 in total direct restaurant revenue was generated by the Downtown Community Takeout. $45,500 in private donations from individuals and corporations was raised for the program allowing for continued expansion. The PDP thanks all the financial supporters, 412 Food Rescue and the following participating restaurants:

1. Apollo Café
2. Arepittas
3. Bae Bae’s Kitchen
4. Eadie’s Market and Catering
5. Emerson’s
6. Harris Grill
7. Las Velas Mexican Restaurant
8. Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room
9. Revel + Roost
10. Rosewater Middle Eastern Grill
11. Sammy’s Famous Corned Beef
12. Sienna Mercato
13. Sly Fox Taphouse
14. Sree’s Foods
15. Standard Market and Pint House
16. tako
17. The Simple Greek
18. The Speckled Egg
19. The Warren
20. Vallozzi’s
21. Wiener World Pittsburgh

Restaurant Spotlights

“In a world where we feel so helpless, it feels really good to help.” – Jacqueline Schoedel, The Speckled Egg 

“The Downtown Community Takeout program has been a huge help to our restaurant. Our favorite part of the program is the fact that you feel like you’re helping, and you’re also being helped.” – David Montanez, Las Velas

“My favorite part has been the gratification of being able to help support the community. It’s been something that’s been deep-rooted in our operation for many years now.” – Michael Zawojski, Revel