Westminster students partner with Apple Castle to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Roughly 50 first-year students from Westminster College spent a fall morning in a pumpkin patch taking part in a gleaning event for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Students gathered at Apple Castle, a local produce market in New Wilmington, to pick pumpkins to be distributed to families in the Pittsburgh region.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank routinely works with Apple Castle on gleaning events to collect leftover crops after they have been commercially harvested.

Participating students were from three sections of Westminster’s Inquiry course, Introduction to the Liberal Arts, taught by Dr. Patrick Krantz, associate professor of environmental science, Bradley Weaver, lecturer of broadcasting and sports communication, and Dr. Timothy Grieve-Carlson, assistant professor of religion and interfaith studies.

“The gleaning event at Apple Castle gave me and my students a chance to get out of the classroom together and get our hands—and shoes—dirty while learning more about how the Greater Pittsburgh Area Community Food Bank works to help needy families in our area,” said Grieve-Carlson. “This was a great chance to get first-year students off campus and connect with local businesses like Apple Castle and regional organizations like the Greater Pittsburgh Area Community Food Bank.”

This event was coordinated by Krantz with support from the Center for Professional Development and Community Engagement. Questions about this event can be directed to pdce@westminster.edu.

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