Last week, we invited neighbors to join us for our fourth annual Immigrant Grocery Store Days event. This initiative began in 2020 as a response to the pandemic and has since become a regular part of our efforts to support food security for refugee and immigrant families in Pittsburgh.

This year, 50 families were invited to shop for groceries and household supplies at local immigrant-owned markets at no cost. Additionally, we provided Giant Eagle gift cards to 25 other households to help cover their monthly essentials.

The Impact of SNAP Benefit Changes

The need for direct food support has increased significantly following the passage of H.R. 1, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA). As of November 2025, this legislation resulted in the revocation of SNAP benefits for many lawfully present noncitizens, including the refugee families we serve.

Before this policy change, nearly all refugee families resettled by Hello Neighbor were enrolled in SNAP upon arrival. Currently, over 60% of our clients belong to households of four or more people, meaning more than half of affected families have lost $1,000 or more in monthly food assistance.

These restrictions have created a level of food insecurity that our community has not seen in recent years. While a single event cannot solve these systemic challenges, Immigrant Grocery Store Days provides immediate relief and ensures families have a full pantry.

Prioritizing Cultural Staples and Local Business

A core part of this program is providing families with choice. Often, it can be difficult to find culturally familiar foods in standard food banks and pantries.

By partnering with local grocers like Salem’s Market & Grill and Atobabs African Market, we ensure families can access culturally relevant staples. This partnership also allows us to reinvest in immigrant-owned businesses that are essential to the Pittsburgh economy. Salem’s has been a long-standing partner in this work, helping us source items that are often absent from traditional food assistance programs.

Looking Ahead

While we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the loss of SNAP benefits, we remain committed to finding practical solutions for our neighbors. We are grateful to our partners and our donor community for making this event possible and for helping us provide a sense of stability during a difficult time.

How to help:If you would like to support our ongoing food security work, you can donate an emergency food box through Salem’s Market or contribute directly to our Food Insecurity Relief Fund.

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