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South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) - SHIM Center

Bethel Park, PA

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2601 South Park RdBethel Park, PA 15102

About

Summary

SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Movement) is a community organization in Pittsburgh that provides essential resources and support to families in need. Founded in 1968, SHIM operates food pantries, community gardens, and youth programs to help neighbors connect to resources and build stronger futures.

Details

SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Movement) is a community organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and families facing challenges. Founded in 1968 by a priest, a rabbi, and a minister, SHIM has grown into a vital resource for the South Hills community. The organization offers a range of services including food assistance, clothing, utility support, and community-building initiatives like community gardens and senior outreach programs.

SHIM's mission is to help neighbors connect to essential resources so they can meet their needs and move toward a stronger future. The organization emphasizes equity and inclusion, partnering with local congregations and volunteers to provide food, educational opportunities, and support for children, families, and individuals. SHIM also runs youth programs, including mentoring and career development, to empower the next generation.

The organization has two main locations: the SHIM Center at 2601 South Park Rd, Bethel Park, and the South Hills Family Center at 1400 Lebanon Church Road, West Mifflin. SHIM relies heavily on volunteers and donations to sustain its programs and services. The organization's values include equity, building community, and partnering for power to address suburban poverty and support the working poor, unemployed, and refugee families in the area.

From Faith Near Me

South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) in Bethel Park, PA, offers a welcoming environment focused on community support through food assistance, community gardens, and youth programs. Founded in 1968 with interfaith collaboration, SHIM emphasizes equity and inclusion, providing resources for families and individuals in need.

Pros

  • Comprehensive services including food pantries, clothing assistance, and utility support.
  • Interfaith collaboration fostering community-building initiatives.
  • Volunteer-driven programs with community gardens and youth mentoring.
  • Accessible facilities with parking and multiple service locations.
  • Youth programs focused on career development and mentoring.
  • Senior outreach and document assistance for community members.

Cons

  • Perceived emphasis on immigrant and refugee support may limit accessibility for others.
  • Historical concerns about staff diversity and inclusion in hiring practices.
  • Potential challenges with service consistency based on volunteer availability.
  • Parking lot accessibility issues reported in visitor feedback.
  • Limited clarity on eligibility criteria for specific assistance programs.

Reviews from around the web

Public comments we collected from listing sources. Not written on Faith Near Me.

  • Kumar Rai5 months ago

    Good morning to you all:Today I am so excited to be in SHIM office in West- Mifflin Leabon church road cos i got blessful help form the Staff:Tabatha Vadala that sending and filling all my documents to the federal government in downtown…. for my regional tasks up to date… so always pleasure and giving a lots of thanks to all staff’s members and organization for betterment of communities ….god bless you all…. All the times….. Thank you so much SHIM….

  • John Lovelacea year ago

    It seems they only help immigrants and refugees. I’m all for helping people in need but American citizens need help too. Why do we always feel the need to help others before we help our own? Many of Americans could use the assistance but if you aren’t a refugee they honestly don’t care. This is America though …

  • Missy May3 years ago

    They do a great job helping immigrants and refugees. But it’s a typical white Americans helping people of color kind of thing in the entire organization. They greatly lack diversity and inclusion when it comes to hiring staff. They would never hire or even invite people of color applicants for interview. It’s interesting how many people of color has been hired since I wrote down the above review (paragraph) a few months ago. Good job SHIM! Way to go!

  • M. R3 years ago

    First and foremost I want to say thank you for all that you do in the community it is greatly appreciated. However…. What i witnessed today at the food pantry on Knoedler Rd this morning 5/30/23 was nothing less than unacceptable, rudeness and talking down to people. (By one of the volunteers in particular) I have never felt the need to leave any reviews but I think this absolutely needs to be addressed. I took my daughter to this pantry and I decided to go through myself since I took her. But will not be going back to this pantry and I will continue to go to the Bethel Park Pantry which I have had no issues with. I will list the issues that me and my daughter encountered today as well as other people 1 by 1 below. 1. I walked into the church down the steps and I ask a volunteer if I could use the bathroom. It was the same volunteer that was later taking the people’s information at the main table. Her response to me was “We technically aren’t open go on and don’t make a mess” are you kidding me I am 42 years old not a child that is going to go into a church’s bathroom and make a mess just to be making a mess. 2. We get up to the table and she says “y’all come on” (rudely) when she had been calling numbers going in order. I said well we don’t know what number you are and we didn’t want to jump in front of anyone. She says I don’t know what number I'm on either. 3. My daughter goes to the table she asks for her last name. My daughter tells her and then she tells my daughter you’re not on the list is it your first time? My daughter says yes. She then says “well why didn’t you just say it was your first time?” Which by the way my daughter suffers from mental health issues and sometimes is not on point at all times. 4. Myself at the table she takes my name and then says “you’re not on the list” I tell her I have been before and my last time was at the Bethel Park Pantry a couple months ago. Her response “you can’t jump around and need to pick a pantry” Ok well my fault being that I have never been told this at all before. 5. A lady had lost her number and the same volunteer told her she would be called. The lady ask the volunteer do you know when I will be called. The volunteer says “when I call you that’s when you be called that’s when” while keeping in mind that the lady she was speaking with English was not her native language so here’s an idea try being understanding and have a little patience and not being so rude to what seemed to be like every person you encountered this morning and if you are going to spew rudeness to people then you probably shouldn’t be volunteering.

  • Fun & Classy Lassy8 years ago

    They do help community. The food pantry perishables are decent. The produce, especially avocadoes, berries, mushrooms) is largely not good unless eaten that day, or blanched and frozen. I highly suspect (and I feel this way about other organizations, i.e. Cathic Charities) that they give immigrants/refugees more help than USA citizens. My Vietnamese and Indian is a bit rusty, but I've overheard enough to suspect this could be true. They have job leads, and do CAP applications. Nice volunteer staff. They do a lot of good with volunteers that they have . However, I fell in the parking lot yesterday, immediately reported it to another volunteer/witness, called when I got home. The staff's focus was their big fundraiser last night, so I had to delay medical treatment, because one of the key staff didn't know name of insurance company. She said she had to get information from Finance Director. I'm still waiting, as of this morning. This information is something all key staff should know. And a fundraiser should not take precedence over medical attention. Period.

  • keith ziembicki4 years ago

    Last week I lost half of my left foot due to complications with diabetis. Since I drive for a ride share company I also lost my income. I called and Ashley came to my rescue. Today a terrific young lady, unfortunatly I didn't get her name, delivered a ton of food to me. I am very grateful for the help. I am unable to do pretty much anything for 6 weeks but as soon as I can I plan to be an active volunteer for this wonderful group.Thank you so much.

  • Kev s4 months ago

    this place makes me proud to be american

  • Barbara Klemma year ago

    They do a great job helping others

  • Catherine Harney4 years ago

    When I truly needed help they did everything in their power to help. VERY VERY GRATEFUL TO THEM. TY AGAIN.

  • Christopher Pepple10 months ago

    Good people, very loving and caring

Services and facilities

Services

  • Food Pantry
  • Clothing Assistance
  • Utility Support
  • Community Gardens
  • Senior Outreach
  • Youth Mentoring
  • Career Development
  • Document Assistance
  • Cap Applications

Facilities

  • Food Pantry
  • Community Garden
  • Senior Outreach Center
  • Youth Programs Space
  • Parking Lot

Listing info

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