Letang Donates To Students Food Relief & Knead Community Cafe

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang joined the growing list of Penguins players and personnel who have made significant charitable contributions to the Pittsburgh community in the weeks since the coronavirus pandemic rocked the U.S. economy.

The Penguins announced on Friday that Letang made a monetary donation to the Student and Families Relief Fund and to the Knead Community Cafe, which is a local non-profit which serves grab-and-go means for New Kensington residents.

“As parents, my wife Catherine and I can’t imagine the hardship of children going hungry,” stated Letang. “We knew that we wanted to give back to the Pittsburgh community during this difficult time, and helping children secure a healthy meal and avoid hunger was the perfect fit for us.”

The Student and Families Relief Fund is a charity started by a $1 million donation from PNC Bank to the United Way of Southwestern PA, on March 30. Its specific stated purpose is to support families struggling with food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.

Over half of school students in Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland, and Fayette counties are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

“The Students & Families Food Relief Fund provides meals for those with the greatest need,” said Patrick Dowd, Allies for Children Executive Director. “As the need grows, the fund will be depleted.  Support from Kris and Catherine Letang will ensure this work can continue into the summer.  We sincerely thank the Letangs for their commitment to our region at this critical time.”

The Knead Community Cafe is a 501(c)3 in New Kensington, which serves meals to residents every Thursday night, anyone who needs or even wants one. You can view the Cafe’s Facebook page here.

Over 200 New Kensington residents were served yesterday, according to their most recent post.

“We are deeply touched by the Letang family for their support and generosity to the cafe and the New Kensington community,” stated Mary Bode, Knead Community Café Co-Founder. “This gift enables us to continue the cafe’s mission to feed all regardless of means and will tremendously help support our community outreach programs in this challenging time.”