In these times, more people than ever rely on food pantries to feed their families. But few suspect that some of those families live in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods.

"The assumption is that people in 15217 don't need help," said Becky Abrams, director of the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry since 2006.

"A lot of our neighbors aren't even aware that we're here."

Almost hidden in a small area beneath the Forward Lanes bowling center on Forward Avenue, the pantry has been operating since 1998 and distributes an average of 14,000 pounds of food each month to more than 500 families.

In 2009, Ms. Abrams noted, the pantry served 731 clients -- the highest number in the organization's history.

One of the possible reasons for the pantry's low profile, she added, is that it was founded to meet the needs of Jewish families who keep kosher, and estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of its clients are Jewish.

The original name was the Kosher SuperPantry, and it is a partner organization of Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh, headquartered in Squirrel Hill. All food distributed by the pantry is certified kosher.

The name was changed to the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry in 2007 in an effort to increase outreach, said Ms. Abrams.

"We wanted to make sure everyone knew that we are open to anyone in the ZIP code who meets our income guidelines," she said. "We are nonsectarian. If you live in 15217, we are your local food pantry."

Ms. Abrams said the pantry works continually to make people more aware of their services.

"We still need to reach people, and there are many who think they don't qualify but are eligible," she said, adding that income guidelines were 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

As the only kosher food pantry between Cleveland and Philadelphia, the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry also is open to any qualifying family who keeps kosher, regardless of where they are from.

"We have people coming regularly from Greensburg, sometimes even farther," said Ms. Abrams.

The pantry is a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which receives grants from the state and local government. The pantry gets much of its food, including fruit and vegetables, from Greater Pittsburgh.

But Ms. Abrams said her pantry also receives a great deal of food and support from the Squirrel Hill community.

"The local Giant Eagle donates all its leftover kosher baked goods, as does Sweet Tammy's," she said, referring to a nearby kosher bakery.

"We have dropoff sites for canned goods in several places in the neighborhood, and people come in to donate food," she said.

Many local Jewish organizations also help the pantry. Ms. Abrams noted that last Thursday marked the end of their winter food drive by the Women's Philanthropy division of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

The UJF women had been collecting kosher soup and cocoa since November, and a group had gathered that day to pack it into bags for families.

Francine Surloff, a packing volunteer and the development director for Hadassah, another Jewish women's volunteer organization, said supporting the pantry was a community duty.

"It's our job to support and participate in things like this," she said. "No mother should have to say to their child, 'I don't have anything for you to eat.' "

Volunteer Laurie Moser lives in Shadyside and is a consultant for the United Way. She said it was her first time volunteering, but she planned to return.

"Hunger is often an invisible problem, and one that's even more shocking when you see it here in 15217," she said.

"You can give internationally, you can give nationally, but giving should begin here at home."

Ms. Abrams pointed out that there were many ways for people in the community to get involved with the food pantry.

"We use 375 volunteers a year; we're always looking for help," she said. "You or an organization you belong to can hold a food drive. Or have a Super Bowl or birthday party, and tell guests you plan to collect canned goods."

She added that the pantry needs volunteers two Sundays a month to pack bags, and bringing the whole family is a great way to teach the importance of giving back.

The pantry's plans for 2010 include finding a new space that will allow it to offer an experience that is more like shopping to its clients.

"The food would be on shelves, so that people could exercise more choice about what their family will eat," Ms. Abrams said, adding that empowering people and ensuring they retain their dignity was part of the pantry's mission.

"It's Tikkun Olam," she said, referring to a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world."

"Part of Jewish values is helping people."

For more information on the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry or to volunteer, go to www.sqfoodpantry.org or call 412-421-2708.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.