Tarentum Eagles event aims to help the hungry
Rain and chilly weather couldn't dampen the good intentions of volunteers who turned out Saturday for the Tarentum Eagles' first food drive and safety festival.
The branch was answering the call of the national Fraternal Order of Eagles, which designated Oct. 3 as the day of “People Helping Pantries” to assist food banks.
“We decided to make a big deal of it,” said Ruth Jordan of Lower Burrell, madame trustee at the Tarentum branch. “We're trying to collect as much as we can.”
She said members began planning the event in July and have been collecting nonperishable food as well as money and other donations for the food banks at Harrison-based Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, the United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington and the Salvation Army's Allegheny Valley Worship and Service Center in Brackenridge.
Jordan, whose husband is a locked-out steelworker from Allegheny Technologies Inc., said the need for assistance may be growing in the community because of the lockout.
“It's really difficult right now with the mill situation,” she said.
Jordan is thankful for the many donations, including Fox's Pizza Den offering food for the volunteers and Carl Garrett & Son Inc. donating a box truck to store and deliver the food.
“Everybody's been wonderful,” Jordan said. “We'd like to try it again next year.”
Many vendors backed out and turnout was light because of the weather, but as the midafternoon skies cleared, families bundled in winter coats and hats wandered through the festival along Wood Street.
Tarentum police officers were handing out bicycle helmets to children while members of Eureka Fire Rescue EMS displayed equipment on fire and ambulance vehicles.
“We're trying to be good neighbors to the Eagles,” said Eureka Deputy Chief Brad James. “And it was a good way to kick off Fire Prevention Week” that starts Sunday.
John Michael Sr. of Harrison was hopeful attendance would pick up later in the afternoon as participants in other events stopped at the festival.
A United Steelworkers union rally was planned in Tarentum's Riverview Memorial Park a few blocks away, and a group of motorcycle riders from the Apollo Eagles aerie was expected to include Tarentum as a stop on their motorcycle run.
Michael, president of the Tarentum Eagle Riders, said their motorcycle club of about 50 members often raises money for charities, including the food banks, Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) and Make-A-Wish.
All donations from their Steelers basket raffle on Saturday were designated for the food drive.
“It's people helping people,” Michael said. “We have fun. We're like brothers. We help each other.”
Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.
