The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project

Specialties

We collect new and gently used tote bags for distribution to the region’s food pantries. We accept donations of bags and PR materials

History

Established in 2011.

Established in 2011, Tote4Pgh collected over 11,000 tote bags in our first 8 months. Our major partner is Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We have nearly 20 permanent drop-​off spots and over 2 dozen collaborators.

The project fuses hunger relief with environmental justice. The tote bags provides food pantry clients an opportunity to transport more groceries with dignity and ease. They reduce dependency on disposable bags and save the pantries money.

Bags that are not suitable for food are donated to other human services agencies and bags that need a «new purpose» are repurposed/​upcycled to create new objects.

Meet the Business Owner

Sue K.

Business Owner

Sue founded The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project in 2011 after inspiration struck while she was observing a food distribution a few years earlier. She shared her idea via tweet and was pleasantly surprised when The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Communication Director responded. He sent a few tote bags and the tote drive was born.

Sue has an MSW from the University of Pittsburgh and over 15 years experience in the human services field. She was born and raised in West Mifflin. She now lives on the Northside, in the Manchester neighborhood.

She serves as co-​chair of the project and volunteers full-​time to administer day to day operations.