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EECM Strategic Direction 2025-26 Our Mission EECM changes the lives of people facing the impacts of poverty. Our Vision To break the cycles of poverty, addiction, hunger and homelessness. Our Core Values Opportunity, Transformation, and Hope Strategic Impact: The Future of EECM The Strategic Direction will position the organization for continued, long-term growth and success. By implementing this Strategic Direction, EECM will: 1. Expand services to meet growing community needs in housing, food security, education, and crisis support. 2. Strengthen its workforce and volunteer network to enhance service delivery. 3. Secure long-term financial sustainability to ensure a continued Mission impact. 4. Foster a thriving, inclusive organizational culture where employees, volunteers, and stakeholders are engaged and empowered. Through bold leadership, forward-thinking strategy, and unwavering commitment, EECM will build a stronger, more resilient future for individuals and families facing the impacts of poverty. Strategic Priorities 1. Enhance Programming to Meet Evolving Community Needs EECM will refine and expand its core services to better address the urgent needs of individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and systemic barriers to success. Key Strategies Strengthen Human Services: Expand emergency shelter, food assistance, housing support, and crisis intervention to serve more individuals in need. Advance Education & Prevention Programs: Enhance youth mentorship, career readiness, financial literacy, and violence prevention programs to break cycles of poverty. Elevate Volunteer Engagement: Expand and professionalize our volunteer program to increase community participation and service delivery. Foster Strategic Community Partnerships: Deepen collaborations with businesses, congregations, educational institutions, and nonprofits to enhance program effectiveness. 2. Strengthen Infrastructure to Sustain Organizational Excellence EECM will invest in its physical, technological, and human capital infrastructure to effectively meet growing service demands. Key Strategies Enhance Volunteer Engagement Systems: Implement new strategies to train, recognize, and retain long-term volunteers who support EECM’s mission. Improve Facilities & Capital Assets: Develop a facility improvement plan that ensures safe, functional, and welcoming spaces for clients and staff. Leverage Technology for Efficiency: Modernize data systems, case management tools, and program evaluation methods to streamline operations and improve impact tracking. 3. Achieve Financial Sustainability & Resource Development EECM will secure diverse, sustainable funding sources to ensure long-term stability and growth. Key Strategies Diversify Revenue Streams: Strengthen individual giving, corporate partnerships, and grant funding to reduce reliance on government sources. Enhance Donor Engagement & Stewardship: Build stronger relationships with donors and funders through impact storytelling and transparent financial reporting. Develop a Long-Term Financial Strategy: Establish an endowment fund and financial reserves to safeguard EECM’s future sustainability. Increase Organizational Visibility: Implement strategic branding, marketing, and outreach initiatives to expand awareness and attract new funding opportunities. 4. Foster a People-Forward Culture Rooted in Mission and Excellence EECM will create a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned organizational culture that supports staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. Key Strategies Strengthening Internal Culture & Leadership Development: Foster a work environment that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. Expand Workforce Development: Strengthen HR policies to attract, retain, and develop highly skilled and mission-driven staff. Deepen Board Engagement & Governance: Enhance board recruitment, training, and governance best practices to strengthen organizational leadership. Promote Equal Opportunity and Access for staff, volunteers, and clients while advocating for systemic change in the community.

ITALIAN NIGHT A Dinner Fundraiser at EECM Wednesday, October 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 6175 Harvard St. in East Liberty Come for the pasta, stay for the cause. Join us for EECM’s first-ever Italian Night—a flavorful evening of food, fun, and giving back. $100 per ticket includes: Unlimited Italian pasta, salad, and fresh bread Decadent desserts and select beverages 5 raffle entries for your chance to win one of ten curated gift baskets Live entertainment, a featured guest speaker, and behind-the-scenes tours of our food pantry and kitchen Additional basket raffle entries, plus 50/50 chances, available for purchase! Tickets are on sale now. Click here to purchase yours at Zeffy . Secure your seat and help serve hope—one plate at a time. All proceeds go toward EECM's Community Food Services program, which consists of our food pantry and Community Kitchen, serving over 10,000 people annually in Pittsburgh.

Learn more about EECM's Community Food Services, including the Food Pantry, no-cost Community Lunches, and what food donations we accept. Community Food Services Community Food Services offers food assistance and meals to those who are experiencing food insecurity. We rely on the generosity of neighboring congregations, businesses, and our volunteers to maintain this essential program and have the ability to provide these services to the community. Food Pantry Community Lunches Donations Food Pantry Food Pantry Groceries are available to those who are in need through our food pantry program. We offer an array of fresh produce and dairy, as well as dry goods and shelf stable items. We recommend having means to transport the food home, as we like to be as generous as possible with the quantities of food we distribute. Clients may visit the food pantry once a month. FOOD PANTRY HOURS Monday to Friday NEW! 8:30 am to 10:30 am & 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at E ntrance C. We are closed on all major holidays. Community Lunches Our kitchen serves a hot lunch free of charge to all who are in need, no registration required. Anyone can take advantage of our well-balanced lunches. COMMUNITY MEAL SERVICE HOURS Monday through Friday 12:00pm to 12:45pm Tray Service Bag Lunch Takeout available until 1pm Located the dining room and available for take-out at Entrance G of our building. We are closed on all major holidays. Donations Please consider helping the community by donating non-perishable food or monetary donations to EECM. EECM has additional purchasing power through the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Therefore, monetary contributions have more of an impact. Email development@eecm.org to learn more about donating to Community Food Services. We can accept food donations at EECM from 8am-3pm, Monday-Friday, at the loading dock driveway on the Harvard Street side of the building. Donations can also be dropped off anytime at Entrance G. Ring the bell outside of the doors for assistance. Please note that EECM WILL NOT ACCEPT opened or used food items. . Community Lunches For more information, please call 412-345-7141 or email cfs@eecm.org

In the next two years, EECM envisions a stronger, more equitable Pittsburgh community. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE East End Cooperative Ministry Unveils Bold Strategic Direction for 2025–2026: Focused on Centering Dignity and Building Equity PITTSBURGH, PA (July 15, 2025) - East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM), a trusted anchor of support in Pittsburgh’s East End for over 50 years, has announced its new 2025–2026 Strategic Direction , a two-year roadmap to deepen its impact in the community through a renewed focus on dignity, equity, and transformational care . Amid escalating challenges in housing insecurity, food access, and social isolation, EECM’s new strategic direction boldly reaffirms its mission: "To change the lives of people facing the impacts of poverty."  The organization aims to be not only a provider of vital human services, but a leader in building a more just and connected community . Four Strategic Focus Areas EECM’s plan is organized around four key priorities that will guide the organization’s work over the next two years: Centering Dignity EECM will integrate trauma-informed, person-centered approaches across all services, emphasizing respect, autonomy, and compassion in every interaction. Building Equity Committed to racial, economic, and social equity, EECM will expand access to housing, food, and stabilization resources for historically marginalized communities. Strengthening Organizational Health To meet growing demand sustainably, EECM will invest in its staff, infrastructure, and systems to ensure long-term resilience and impact. Growing Community Partnerships EECM will broaden its collaborative network across Pittsburgh to co-create solutions and elevate the voices of people with lived experience. A Vision for Transformation “This strategy is not just a plan—it’s a promise,” said President and CEO, Dr. Diona Jones. “A promise to meet people where they are, to honor their dignity, and to stand beside them in their journey toward stability and empowerment. We are shifting from service delivery to human connection.” The strategic direction was shaped by months of input from community members, partners, staff, and board leaders, with special attention to the lived experiences of the people EECM serves. To read the full strategic direction, click here . Call to Action As part of this bold new chapter, EECM invites individuals, funders, volunteers, and partners to join in advancing its mission. The organization seeks support to fund core programs in housing, food, and youth programming—areas where federal resources have now become limited. About East End Cooperative Ministry Founded in 1970, EECM serves thousands of individuals annually through integrated services in housing, food, reentry support, youth programming, and crisis intervention. Operating out of its East Liberty Community House, EECM is a place where compassion and practical support come together to help neighbors survive and thrive.

On May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., EECM will host its fourth semi-annual food drive event, Help Deliver Hope. Donors can stop by to drop off food and monetary donations without ever getting out of their cars. We encourage our friends and neighbors to host a food drive to collect items for this food collection event. These include shelf-stable, non-perishable grocery staples that will help feed families in and around the Pittsburgh area. NEW THIS YEAR, a lineup of local food and craft vendors will be on-site to celebrate the East Liberty community. Simply drive through and drop off your donations or enjoy the festivities at 6125 Harvard St. near the East Liberty Target location on Centre Ave. To donate money to our Community Food Services program, please click here . For questions, email emilyw@eecm.org . Register your food drive here .

Fresh produce, eggs, and meats are all costing much more these days. We are working hard to keep providing the same level of service to each client as our service numbers increase. For over five decades, East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) has stood as a pillar of hope and compassion in Pittsburgh, offering critical support to individuals and families facing the harsh realities of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. What began in 1970 as a small coalition of faith communities has grown into a vital resource for thousands of our neighbors, ensuring that no one in our community is left without shelter, nourishment, or opportunity. Today, our mission is more urgent than ever. Across Allegheny County, 12.1% of residents experience food insecurity , meaning they do not have reliable access to enough nutritious food to sustain a healthy life. At EECM, we operate the only food pantry in the region that remains open five days a week , serving as a crucial safety net for those in need. Every month, we witness nearly 1,700 visits  to our pantry, with more than 4,000 registered individuals  relying on our support. Many of them—especially seniors on fixed incomes, and the working poor—face heartbreaking decisions between paying for rent, utilities, or food. As inflation continues to drive up the cost of basic necessities, the pressure on our pantry has never been greater. But together, we can ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors do not go hungry. Your generosity is more than a donation, it is an investment in the dignity and well-being of our community. Here’s how your contribution has a direct impact: 🔹 $50 provides a week's worth of meals for an individual. 🔹 $150 ensures a family has food for an entire week. 🔹 $500 sustains five families for a full month. 🔹 $1,000 feeds ten families for a month. Pittsburgh has always been a city defined by resilience, generosity, and a deep sense of community. We know what it means to support one another through tough times. Today, we ask for your partnership in this mission. Your support keeps our pantry doors open, our shelves stocked and hope alive for those who need it most. Whatever you can give—large or small— makes a profound difference  in the lives of the people we serve. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community.   To donate today, click here . To sign up to volunteer, click here . For more information on hosting a food drive at your organization, please email development@eecm.org .