Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is partnering with the AD99 Solutions Foundation as part of the organization’s Food Justice is Social Justice campaign.
The AD99 Solutions Foundation was founded in 2019 by two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Pittsburgh native Aaron Donald.
The Food Justice is Social Justice was established to create awareness about social inequality.
On this week’s episode of the Food Podcast presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union, AD99 executive director Akita Donald and board member Tim Murdoch joined host Brian Gulish to discuss the mission of Aaron Donald’s foundation.
“Aaron was training with his trainer DeWayne Brown and there was a group of students,” Akita Donald said. “He (Aaron) was looking at the students practice, and he turned to DeWayne and said, ‘How can we really make a difference?’ That question right there was the start of the foundation.”
Noting the importance of access to good nutrition, academics and community involvement, Aaron Donald sought to launch a foundation that prepared Pittsburgh’s underprivileged youth for life-long success.
One of the core programs of the foundation is “Fuel for Success.” Citing good nutrition being the foundation for academic and athletic success, and knowing many children and families throughout Pittsburgh didn’t have access to or knowledge about proper nutrition, Fuel For Success was established.
“We are training these kids and families how to eat better and do all these different things that can make a whole change within them,” said Murdoch. “Being able to provide options for kids that are a little bit healthier as opposed to getting a candy bar out of a machine.”
As part of the organization’s cohort, students can join virtual forums which include conversations with Mr. Donald and his personal chef.
Prior to the covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity rates in southwestern Pennsylvania were at 15 percent.
“According to a recent study put out by Feeding America, there has been a 57 percent increase in childhood hunger locally since 2018 mainly due to the pandemic,” Gulish said.
In addition to this week’s podcast, the Food Bank will be providing its website and social media channels to AD99 Solutions Foundation for a “takeover” on Tuesday. For more information on AD99 Solutions visit www.AD99.org.
