Since 1982, Northside Common Ministries has been helping those in the community who are struggling. From putting food on the table to a roof over their heads, NCM works for those in need. Churches from around the North Side began to band together after the region’s steel mills closed to provide whatever they could to help their neighbors. Now roughly 60 churches (mostly north and west of Downtown) are affiliated with the organization, which operates the largest food pantry in the city. Serving more than 900 food-insecure families and individuals each month, NCM will see an increase in those numbers to 1,200 a month through the winter.
“It’s mostly working folks who come to use the pantry,” said executive director Jay Poliziani. “We have also started a garden on two building lots next to us so that we can increase people’s interaction with how their food grows. It gives them a sense of community and dignity.” One of everybody’s favorite volunteers is “The Pancake Man,” who has been coming every Sunday for the last 18 years to serve breakfast. “He’s kind of a celebrity around here,” Mr. Poliziani said with a smile.
NCM is not only a food pantry but also a men’s shelter that can house 25 men at a time (and up to 32 in the cold winter months.) “The average man that we serve is between the ages of 40 and 50 years old. We have veterans in here all the time.” said Mr. Poliziani. Along with long-term housing, the organization provides a drop-in center for people who are homeless. This service includes providing a hot meal, a shower and laundry facilities. NCM also provides free tax preparation, utility bill assistance and is a host site for Healthcare for the Homeless. This initiative provides people who are homeless with free medical visits Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, pharmacists and counselors.
“Every time one of our guys finds a home, he adds his name to a brick that has been painted on our common area wall. This gives the others hope and motivation to keep working towards their goals,” said Mr. Poliziani.
Each man is also provided a blank ‘magazine’ in which they can tell their story to help them open up and deal with whatever situation is troubling them. “It’s not always what you think,” he added. “One man simply hurt his back at work, couldn’t work, lost his wife, his kids and just needed some support. After a few months, we were able to get him back on his feet and now he lives on his own and works Downtown.” Another man was in and out of prison for 28 years, just kept going back to the wrong place. Finally, he took a bus to Pittsburgh, spent a winter at NCM and was able to move on. He got a job, found an apartment and never looked back.
“I think that’s what keeps me going,” said Mr. Poliziani. “There are a lot of positive stories that come out of this place. We focus our energy on them.”
Currently, NCM is in need of a larger space for its ever-expanding food pantry and would like to be able to add more beds to the long-term housing facility. To learn about volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, check out www.ncmin.org.
Together, #LetsMake ASEEN!
First Published: December 29, 2014, 5:00 a.m.
