Steelers, Giant Eagle fund school closure meals

Pittsburgh students will receive free lunches at city recreation centers whenever public schools close or dismiss early. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Giant Eagle are funding these meals to prevent children from going without food on days when school is off.

City officials launched extended rec center hours in September to offer free childcare during school closures. Mayor Corey O'Connor described the centers as an important community resource for families who need supervision when kids are off from school.

Blayre Holmes Davis, the Steelers' senior director of community relations, noted that school meals serve as an important source of daily nutrition for many students. She stated that the team does not want a school closure to mean a child goes without a meal.

Dan Donovan, senior director of public relations and sports partnerships at Giant Eagle, said the grocery chain regularly teams up with the Steelers to address community needs. He expressed pride in the partnership that ensures students have access to meals when they need them most.

The program is active immediately. City officials will open the Ammon, Ormsby, Jefferson, and Magee recreation centers on Tuesday for Election Day, as the district closes for the holiday. These centers will serve meals because they are not being used as polling places.