By Alyse Horn

The Allegheny Elks Lodge recently awarded the Yellow Glove Project another $10,000 grant to continue the distribution of cleaning products to those who utilize the Northside Community Food Pantry.

Cleaning supplies are not covered by food stamps, so handing out household cleaning items allows people to not “have to make a choice between rent, food, or a clean home,” said Anne George, an Elk and Northside Common Ministries volunteer who applied for the grant.

Additionally, feminine hygiene products are also not covered by food stamps, and “they can be rather expensive,” said Jay Poliziani, director of NSCM. George said volunteers have made about 400 “gal bags” that are separate from the rest of the items and women or young girls who are registered at the food pantry can come in and ask for a bag, “and as long as we have them we will continue giving them out.”

The main focus of the project is still on distributing household items, but through surveys and feedback from daytime volunteers who run the pantry relayed that some people didn’t need everything in the bags. George said volunteers are now keeping the bags more consistent so each time someone comes in to grab a bag they can count on toilet paper, dish soap, a general cleaner, and a tub and tile cleaner. Other products, such as body wash, are available to those who choose it from the pantry.

George said donations are welcome to help support the drive, which will help elongate the funds. Those wishing to donate can drop off products such as lotion, body wash, soap, laundry detergent, cleaning rags and sponges, toilet bowl cleaner and feminine products. Cloth bags are also needed to distribute the products, and George said about 1,500 are needed. Donations can be dropped off at NSCM, 1601 Brighton Rd., with a note that says “Yellow Glove Project” on the box/bag, or email yellowgloveproject@gmail.com.

To read our first story on the Yellow Glove Project in May, click here.