Out & About: Museum brunch and tour benefits Westmoreland food bank

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 12:01 a.m. | Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 12:01 a.m.

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Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: James Regner and Ellen Katter, Westmoreland County Food Bank board member, with Nikki and Matt Edgar of Pittsburgh attend a holiday brunch and tour to benefit the food bank, held Dec. 15 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Bob and Jennifer Miller, Westmoreland County Food Bank CEO, with Barbara Matheny of Mt. Pleasant at a holiday brunch and tour to benefit the food bank, on Dec. 15 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s events associate Megan Mulcahey (left) and graphic designer Jackie Brightwell at the museum’s Dec. 15 holiday brunch and tour to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Russell Johnson of Greensburg, Carol Johnson of Bridgeport, W.Va., Mary Beth Reilly and Katherine Horensky, both of Rostraver, at a holiday brunch and tour to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank, held Dec. 15 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Lynn Moyar (front) and Robin Jennings at a holiday brunch and tour to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank, held Dec. 15 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Here are a few random statistics about the Westmoreland County Food Bank:

• In 2017, more than 9 million pounds of food were distributed.

• In 2018, more than 7,000 households were fed, and 7,000 volunteers put in about 100,000 hours of work. (That’s the equivalent of 48 fulltime positions, supplementing the food bank’s staff of 24.)

• Funds raised account for 60% of the budget, and 95 cents of every dollar goes back into foodstuffs.

• Food pantries and on-site feeding programs only scratch the surface of what the food bank provides.

Food bank CEO Jennifer Miller shared that information, and more, during a Dec. 15 Holiday Brunch and Tour at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Though the number of volunteers is impressive, Miller said more are always needed. Many volunteers are past retirement age and don’t have the strength and stamina they once had for the heavy lifting required.

And contrary to conventional wisdom, “most of the consumers we see now are the working poor,” she said.

Organizers from the museum asked brunch guests to bring designated items for the food bank.

Following the meal served by Elegant Catering of Youngwood, docent Milissa Bruce led a tour of seasonal and holiday-themed artworks from the museum’s permanent selection.

Jackie Brightwell and Megan Mulcahey welcomed guests on behalf of The Westmoreland.

Seen: Bob Miller, Ellen Katter and James Regner, Matt and Nikki Edgar, Barbara Matheny, Keith and Bobbie Smith, Danny and Nancy Fales, Ted and Theresa Scheetz, Robin Jennings and Lynn Moyar, Barbara Ferrier, Louisa Dieck, Katherine Horensky, Mary Beth Reilly, Carol Johnson and Russell Johnson.