Western PA Search and Rescue Development Center

09/12/2026

🥫 1 IN 9.

That’s not a statistic from somewhere far away.

That’s Allegheny County.

About 1 in 9 of our neighbors experience food insecurity. For children, that number is approximately 1 in 6.

But food insecurity doesn’t always mean an empty refrigerator.

Sometimes there is food in the refrigerator—just not enough to make it to payday.

It can mean a parent skipping a meal so their children can eat. A senior buying less food because a prescription needs filled. A working family putting groceries back at the register because the total is higher than they expected.

It can mean eating what’s left instead of what’s nutritious.

And sometimes, you would never know a family is struggling just by looking at them.

That’s why food assistance in our communities matters—and why the food donated to WPSARDC matters.

A box of cereal. A jar of peanut butter. A few cans of food.

To you, it may be something small.

To someone trying to make it to the next paycheck, it may be breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

📣 Share this post. Hunger isn’t always visible, but it is happening right here in our community.

09/11/2026

🏠 ONE PART OF YOUR DISASTER PLAN MAY BE HIDING IN YOUR OWN HOUSE.

Do you know where your home’s main water shutoff is?

Do you know where the electrical panel is—and which breaker controls what?

If your home has natural gas, do you know where the shutoff is and, importantly, when you should and should NOT attempt to turn it off?

Emergency preparedness isn’t only about what you put in a bag. It’s also about knowing your home.

Take a few minutes this weekend to locate your utilities, make sure the adults in your household know where they are, and clearly label anything that isn’t already marked.

Don’t wait for water to be pouring across the floor to start looking for the shutoff valve.

And when it comes to natural gas, follow your utility provider’s emergency instructions. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, leave the area and contact the gas company or 911 from a safe location.

September is National Preparedness Month. Preparedness can be as simple as learning something today that could save you valuable time later.

📣 Share this post. Someone else may realize there’s one more thing they need to add to their disaster plan.

09/11/2026

Patriot Day — a national day of remembrance honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

September 11 is a day we remember the lives that were taken, the families forever changed, and a nation that watched the unimaginable unfold.

We also remember the extraordinary courage of the first responders who answered the call that morning—firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and others who ran toward danger to save people they had never met. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.

Twenty-five years later, their courage and sacrifice remain part of the story of September 11 and part of why we observe Patriot Day.

Today, we remember those who never came home, honor those who responded, and recognize the first responders who continue to answer the call in our communities every day.

We will never forget.

09/10/2026

💜 THREE NUMBERS WORTH REMEMBERING: 988

Most of us grew up knowing 911.

We know what it means. We know when to use it. We teach it to our children.

There’s another three-digit number we should know just as well:

988

The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline connects people experiencing suicidal thoughts, a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or a substance-use crisis with trained crisis counselors.

You can call, text, or chat 988. You can also contact 988 because you’re worried about someone else and need guidance on how to help.

You don’t have to decide whether what you’re experiencing is “bad enough.” You don’t have to know exactly what to say.

Just remember the number.

💜 988

Three numbers that are easy to remember—and important to know before the day you or someone you love needs them.

📣 Share this post. Help make 988 a number everyone recognizes.

#988 ***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

09/09/2026

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR HUNGER ACTION MONTH? 🧡

Fill a bag. Fill a box. Fill a trunk.

Food donations that may seem small on their own add up quickly when a community gets involved.

WPSARDC’s Food Market can use pantry staples, canned goods, cereal, breakfast foods, snacks and other non-perishable items to help keep our shelves stocked for the people who come through our doors.

Don’t want to shop? Gift cards and monetary donations help too—they let us buy exactly what the market is running short on.

Have a workplace, church, business, neighborhood or group that wants to help? Host a food drive for us.

📍 Donations can be dropped off at:
WPSARDC
1405 Frey Road
Penn Hills, PA 15235

09/08/2026

🎓 ARE YOU A PITT STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER — OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?

September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month, and knowing what resources are available before you need them matters.

📱 Download the new PittSAFE app.
🚨 Make sure you're receiving Pitt emergency notifications.
📞 Save Pitt Police: 412-624-2121 in your phone.
👀 Stay aware of your surroundings and look out for one another.

📅 AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Pitt is holding its Fall 2026 Safety Symposium on Thursday, September 10 from 10 AM–2 PM at the William Pitt Union, Gallagher Plaza. Students, staff and faculty can meet Pitt Police, university departments and community organizations, learn about campus safety resources, get self-defense and public transportation tips, and even participate in fire-safety demonstrations. No registration is required. ([Pitt Calendar][1])

Don’t wait until something happens to figure out where to turn.

Know your resources. Stay connected. Be prepared.

[Pitt Fall 2026 Safety Symposium details](https://calendar.pitt.edu/event/fall-2026-safety-symposium?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

[1]: https://calendar.pitt.edu/event/fall-2026-safety-symposium?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Fall 2026 Safety Symposium - University of Pittsburgh"

The Fall 2026 Safety Symposium is a collaborative event hosted by the Student Government Board (SGB), Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), and Pitt Police to educate students, staff, and faculty about safety resources and healthy habits at Pitt. Meet various student groups, universi...

09/08/2026

🏠 IF YOU HAD TO STAY HOME WITHOUT POWER OR WATER… WOULD YOU BE READY?

September is National Preparedness Month, and a simple emergency supply kit can make a BIG difference.

🎒 BUILD YOUR HOME EMERGENCY KIT:

💧 Water — at least 1 gallon per person, per day
🥫 Nonperishable food + manual can opener
💊 Medications & basic first aid supplies
🔦 Flashlights + extra batteries
📻 Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
🔋 Portable phone chargers/power banks
🧻 Hygiene & sanitation supplies
🐾 Pet food, water & medications
👶 Supplies for children or older family members
📄 Copies of important documents
💵 Some cash in small bills
🧥 Blankets & extra clothing

You don’t have to build it all in one day. Start with what you have and add a few items each week.

Preparedness starts before the emergency.

09/08/2026

🧡 HUNGER DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOUR ZIP CODE IS.

September is Hunger Action Month.

🥫 Turn awareness into action.

Donate nonperishable food directly to WPSARDC and help us keep food available for the families and individuals we serve.

📍 1405 Frey Road
Penn Hills, PA 15235

One bag. One box. One donation. It all helps.