First Unitarian Church generously provides 50% of our plate collections to worthy causes that meet our congregation's spiritual mission. Each cause will be provided 50% of one month's plate donations, unless otherwise designated. At present, we have 4 organizations that the church has an ongoing relationship with, with whom we are sharing the plate. These four organizations will continue to have a dedicated month each year. The 4 organizations are:
- Khasi Hills
- EECM (East End Community Ministries)
- PIIN (Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network)
- UU Service Committee
The other eight months of the year are to be chosen by the congregation from the following nominated organizations. (These are nominated organizations from our recent call for nominations. Each year, the Share the Plate Committee will have a new call for nominations prior to the annual meeting, as we did this year.)
Here is a simple description of each nominated organization.
1. BETHEL AME REPARATIONS PROJECT: Working on a funding plan to seek redress for return of land and building of a vibrant Black church of 3000 members that was seized by eminent domain in 1958 to build Civic Arena in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The Reparation Project's Goal is to engage support from Faith Communities throughout Pittsburgh.
2. MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION: Manchester Bidwell Corporation is the parent nonprofit for the following affiliates: Bidwell Training Center, Manchester Craftmen’s Guild, and MCG Jazz. The organization promotes adult professional training, arts education and has a performance venue. Manchester Bidwell is a Pittsburgh foundation founded in 1968 by Bill Strickland and still going strong.
3. BLOOMFIELD SATURDAY MARKET: The Bloomfield Saturday Market focuses on connecting low-income people throughout Allegheny County with fresh produce. Through a partnership with the Food Justice Fund, it provides a 1:1 matching benefit for residents eligible for SNAP, WIC, or Food Bucks, doubling the amount of fresh food they can purchase. Through a partnership with 412 Food Rescue, the Market also collects and donates damaged or otherwise unsellable produce from vendors to be distributed to people in need.
4. GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: The food bank distributes millions of meals to neighbors in need and provides SNAP (food stamps) assistance to individuals and families throughout Allegheny County.
5. TREE PITTSBURGH: Restoring and Protecting Pittsburgh’s urban forest by tree planting and care, education, advocacy, and land conservation. Tree Pittsburgh works alongside communities to increase tree canopy and green spaces, and make a healthier region for all.
6.CASA SAN JOSE: This welcome center has been working with the Latino community in the Pittsburgh region for 20 years. The vision has been to create a community center for Latinos and to deliver weekly clinics, food pantries, summer camps, community meetings, Know Your Rights sessions, and much more to Latinos in the Pittsburgh region. Casa San José is a trustworthy, go-to source of support to help underserved Latino immigrants access the assistance and services they need.
7. READING READY PITTSBURGH: Founded and directed by Mary Denison, a First Church member, Reading Ready Pittsburgh provides access to books and family engagement support for young children and their families in the Mon Valley and the City of Pittsburgh. Reading Ready Pittsburgh has a free children's bookstore in Homestead providing education opportunities and activities for children.
8. SISTERS PGH: SisTers PGH is a BLACK and TRANS-led nonprofit organization that serves the Transgender community of Southwestern Pennsylvania. SisTers PGH's community center is a safe, brave, drop-in space for TGNC (Transgender Nonconforming) folk in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. In addition to a community hangout, they provide access to clothing, toiletries, food, and computers, as well as referrals to vetted trans competent service providers, and intakes to other programs as needed.
9. FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF PITTSBURGH: The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh was established in 2006 to build a more inclusive community. They create fun and innovative programs that enable youth and young adults of all abilities to be firmly connected in the community through friendships and relationships, access to wellness supports, and employment opportunities. They develop active, empowered members and young leaders who strengthen both our Friendship Circle and our greater communities. One First Church member says: "I have never been involved with an organization that is so truly inclusive in every sense of the word."
10. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice is the Unitarian Universalist's organization in DC following and advocating around government justice issues. First Church uses their information for our Write Here/Write Now letters to our US senators and representatives.
11. LAND FORCE: Land Force facilitates quality land stewardship services such as: invasive plant management removal, vacant lot stabilization, and additional green infrastructure maintenance needs for a variety of land types throughout the city and county. By recruiting, training, educating, employing and supporting adults who have faced structural barriers to stable, family sustaining, employment based upon race or personal histories, Land Force provides meaningful employment coupled with transitional career coaching using best practices and a trauma-informed approach while teaching land management skills.
12. AFRO AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE: Providing music performance education based on African American cultural diaspora to mostly black students. Founders often play for services at First Unitarian Church.
13. A. PHILIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE, PGH BRANCH: Teaching people who have struggled in life due to disadvantaged backgrounds the life skills and technical knowledge needed to become apprentices in high paid union jobs. Their participants are recruited from local schools, prisons, and youth groups, and the 80% who complete the program have significantly increased chances, even in some cases a guarantee, of being accepted into a recognized apprenticeship program.
