Processing Trauma of Childhood Hunger

Last week, my therapist and I picked up with EMDR to process more trauma. We intentionally defined a period of my childhood that was brutal, 1979-1983, or the years of 4th to 8th grade. Historically, EMDR has been quite helpful with my lesser traumas and anxiety. The hard stuff hasn’t cooperated and we’ve respected that. […]

Fat, Gay, & in the Way: My latest for the Pittsburgh Current

What does it mean to be fat, gay& in the way? I consider this in my latest for the Pittsburgh Current “At the end of my freshman year of college, my father criticized me for gaining the fabled “Freshman Fifteen,” and I felt shame, even despair. It took me years to acknowledge that this had […]

UPDATE About Emergency Food Drive for LGBTQ Homeless Youth via Proud Haven

Last week, we shared the news from Proud Haven that they are in urgent need of food related gift cards during December. Proud Haven’s Lindsey Sickler told me they expect to serve at least 30 youth this month. Some will need coats and clothing; almost all of them will need food. Hunger is a tremendous issue […]

Perry High GSA Students to Launch In-School Food Pantry

This is the Donation Link –> https://www.gofundme.com/perrys-inschool-food-pantry#   My respect and admiration for LGBTQ youth increased even more today after a conversation with Perry High School librarian and GSA sponsor, Sheila May-Stein. The students in this Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) – the second largest in the Pittsburgh Public School system – are in the midst […]

“Your Story Can Heal” Says Rain, 26, #AMPLIFY

Demisexual Greene Washington Allegheny counties

At the end of the day, your silence is damaging. Your story can heal and make people feel like they’re not alone. Name:  Rain Age:  26 ** Update – I made an error and listed Rain’s age as 44. I am sorry for the error. – Sue County of Residence:  Allegheny, formerly Washington and Greene Preferred […]

For Jodi’s Kids, Having Two Mothers Is Just a Fact of Life #AMPLIFY

Jodi same sex Allegheny County

  Name:  Jodi Hirsh Age: 40 County of Residence:  Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: she/her How do you describe your identity? I’m a white jewish woman in a long-term same sex relationship who is the parent of two kids under 7. I’m very sleepy most of the time. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What […]

Northside Food Pantry Launches Food Drive Blitz To Meet Holiday Needs

The food pantry hosted by Northside Common Ministries on Brighton Road is the largest pantry in Western Pennsylvania. Each month, they distribute food to over 1,000 families and households in the Northside zip codes. The pantry is set up in a ‘shopping model’ which allows clients to select the items they prefer from whatever is […]

An Honor For Me From Northside Common Ministries

Earlier this year, I was part of a team that helped to raise more than $12,000 to renovate the food pantry at Northside Common Ministries. It was an honor to help. And I’m humbled to be receiving a special recognition at their upcoming annual dinner.  Northside Common Ministries is proud to award a special honors […]

North Side Food Pantry Hopes to Gives One Can of Tuna to All Families in Dec, 1000 cans needed

Donate Tuna to Food Pantry

So I intentionally distorted the image to show what happens when you stretch a can of tuna to feed multiple people. Today, I received this message from North Side Common Ministries In December, our goal is to give each of the 1,000 families that will visit the Northside Food Pantry one can of tuna. One. […]

Why to Support the KD Turkey Fund

KD Turkey Fund

Many years ago, I ran a modest food pantry in a rural Kentucky county. It was a humbling experience during which I fumbled and stumbled many times as I tried to solicit donations and distribute them with some semblance of dignity. When I returned to Pittsburgh, I learned about Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – […]