Westinghouse retirees' group donates to more than 20 food pantries, food banks, Meals on Wheels programs

Lynn Staab was plenty familiar with serving the community before retiring from Westinghouse and getting involved with its Service Uniting Retired Employees (SURE) program.

Staab had been involved with Murrysville Meals on Wheels, providing a hot lunch and cold dinner to more than 50 clients in the area. Former SURE treasurer Jerry Segner was familiar with it as well: He helped start the food pantry at Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville.

In fact, Murrysville Meals on Wheels was the recipient of the first donation SURE made with proceeds from its annual Jerry Segner Memorial Golf Outing. That first check was for $200.

This year’s donation is $1,000.

“Last year, we donated to 25 food pantries, Meals on Wheels programs and food banks,” said SURE President Jerry Weisser of Delmont. “If a SURE member volunteers there, the organization is eligible to fill out a form to request a donation.”

In addition to supporting local efforts to fight hunger, SURE donated to a food pantry in western Florida last year as part of hurricane relief.

“We were able to donate about $38,000 last year,” Weisser said. “And about $25,000 comes from this event today.”

The Segner Memorial Golf Outing included a full day of golf at Westmoreland Country Club followed by a dinner and silent and live auctions. It is organized by SURE volunteers.

“The amount of hours some people volunteer is just amazing,” said Wayne Bickerstaff of North Huntingdon, who heads up SURE’s Feed the Hungry initiative. “We ask recipients for a simple paragraph about what they do with the donation, and then we use that to solicit donations the next year.”

Staab was the keynote speaker at the dinner following the July 24 golf outing. She said the initial donation from SURE allowed Murrysville Meals on Wheels to service clients on a diabetic diet, something the group couldn’t afford previously.

“Today, Murrysville Meals on Wheels has been around for 51 years,” she said. “We have 200 volunteers and we serve 50 to 60 clients.”

“It’s a direct connection to folks who have a need,” said former SURE President Maury Fey of Murrysville. “Oftentimes when we’ve talked to Meals on Wheels recipients, especially those who are shut-ins, the meal delivery might be the only person they see that day.”

Bickerstaff agreed.

“It’s just so rewarding to volunteer,” he said.

For more on SURE’s programs and activities, visit WestinghouseSURE.org.