Pittsburgh Police deliver Thanksgiving meals in annual 'Stuffed With Love' event

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh was drenched with cold rain Thursday morning, but that did not dampen the mood at St. Mary's Orthodox Church's 26th annual Stuffed With Love event.

More than 50 volunteers of all ages packed the South Side church, organizing more than 5,500 meals for delivery to individuals and families in need by Pittsburgh police officers.

Father Patrick Carpenter has overseen the event since its inception, with the support of the Bethel St. Clair Rotary each year, he said. Meals have been cooked by volunteers years prior, though this year they were prepared by the American Culinary Federation Pittsburgh Chapter and the Pittsburgh Culinary initiative.

"It's always a great blessing," he said. "Especially this year, since the University of Pittsburgh donated their kitchens which facilitated this increase."

The increase in meals from 2023 was "tremendous," since the need has increased, he said. Recipients had to make reservations with their local police stations.

Each takeout box was filled with turkey, stuffing, greens, mashed potatoes and apple sauce, which were prepared by chefs with the American Culinary Federation's Pittsburgh Chapter.

While more than 5,500 meals were delivered to families, 3,000 meals would be picked up at the church as well, Father Carpenter said. Last year, Pittsburgh police delivered over 4,100 meals.

Many people that work with the American Culinary Federation's Pittsburgh Chapter have personal connections to food insecurity, said Chef Evelyn Sussman, so helping with the event was an easy decision.

"We want to make sure that everybody around Pittsburgh and surrounding areas has an opportunity to have a safe, healthy and nutritious meal on Thanksgiving," she said.

Early Thursday, dozens of Pittsburgh police officers and their families stood outside St. Mary's and packed boxes of meals, that were being handed to them by volunteers in an assembly line, into their cars before being delivered around the city.

Pittsburgh police have been delivering meals with the Stuffed With Love event for 21 years, Father Carpenter said. Staci Ford, president of Sojourner House Moms, a faith-based social service for residential recovery, helped coordinate where officers delivered meals.

Zone 3 Officer Chad Brough, his wife, Bethany, and their two daughters loaded 50 meals into their car and headed to Allentown and Carrick areas for the second year in a row. The North Huntingdon couple came to event Thursday because they feel it is important to show their 3- and 5-year-old daughters there is kindness in the world.

"It's good to see the other side of what he's normally doing," Brough said about her husband. "Also showing the girls the holidays aren't about getting, it's about giving."

At each stop, the Brough daughters could not contain their excitement when handing meals to those in need. With their daughters' smiles, and a Thanksgiving themed tutu, the Stuffed With Love event is always a highlight for the officer and his wife.

"I ended my shift last night at 2:30 in the morning," Officer Brough said. "But it's nice to see everybody happy and showing that we can give back. I know the whole community. It's a nice thing what they're doing."