Building Community Through Compassion: How Local Nonprofits Spread Kindness
- Shari Berg
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
When retired store manager Bernie boards the Free Rides for Seniors shuttle, he’s getting more than transportation to run errands. He’s getting a community on wheels, where friendships flourish with every trip. Calling it “one big family,” Bernie said the rides give him a sense of belonging.
Building community connections is just one of the goals of North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) as it works to strengthen the community it serves through acts of kindness that extend far beyond meeting basic needs.
Since its founding in 1987, NHCO has evolved from emergency flood relief to a comprehensive support system serving more than 4,000 families annually across northern Allegheny County. Today, NHCO’s approach honors people’s strengths while preserving independence, particularly for older adults. The organization relies on nearly 800 volunteers drawn to its vision that no one needs to be cold, hungry or alone.
“Whether it’s a volunteer delivering groceries for an older adult neighbor, a friendly visitor spending time with older adults, or staff helping a family with services, the goal is to build trust and treat every person as a neighbor and reinforce that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and valued,” said Brenda Hill, NHCO’s director of development and communications.
For those wanting to spread kindness in their communities, Hill offers straightforward advice. “The best way to make a difference in your community is to partner with organizations like NHCO, where the giving of your time and treasure is multiplied through the combined efforts of other community members to drive results that none of us could achieve on our own.”
NHCO isn’t the only nonprofit putting kindness at the forefront of its services.
At The Lighthouse Foundation’s food pantry in Butler County, a 15-year-old boy arrived this summer with a court-ordered chip on his shoulder. He showed up to fulfill his community service hours with a tough attitude and made it clear he didn’t want to be there. But volunteers met him with kindness. No judgment. No pressure. Just steady encouragement and respect.
Something changed. One day, he quietly asked for prayers. From that moment on, his walls began to fall. He started to smile. To engage. To open up. “He came to serve, but in many ways, he was the one being served,” said Erin Cioffi, The Lighthouse Foundation’s development director.
The story illustrates how The Lighthouse creates more than a food distribution center. The organization has built a judgment-free zone where people facing food insecurity can feed themselves and their families with dignity.
Everyone who visits the food pantry for the first time meets with the food pantry manager to learn how the system works. Unlike traditional food banks that hand out prepacked boxes, The Lighthouse pantry operates as a grocery store where clients shop for what they need.
Individuals select from fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen items, meat, dairy, shelf-stable goods and bakery items. Volunteers assist along the way, and clients receive an offer of prayer and encouragement before they leave. “Any one of us can face food insecurity at any time in our lives,” Cioffi said. “Our food pantry is open to anyone in Butler and northern Allegheny counties who needs it.”
First-time visitors often express the same sentiment: They wish they would have come sooner. Many feel insecure or ashamed about needing help, but The Lighthouse staff and volunteers work to eliminate those barriers, Cioffi said.
The relationships formed at The Lighthouse often come full circle. Several people who initially came for food assistance have returned later as volunteers or donors. Some volunteers know neighbors who need food but feel uncertain about the food pantry experience, so they personally bring them and walk them through their first visit.
Across the region in Wexford, Judy Masucci runs the Pittsburgh affiliate of I Support The Girls from her Levana Bratique store. Since starting in late 2017, she has distributed 330,000 bras and menstrual products to local women and girls who need them but can’t afford them.
“I feel like everything we do makes an impact,” Masucci said. “Having a properly fitting bra is life-changing, no matter who you are. For people who can’t afford their rent or who may be living in a shelter, taking care of themselves always comes last.”
Masucci’s passion extends beyond simply distributing donations. She offers private appointments for proper fittings, no questions asked. “My passion is giving people a proper bra fitting, not just giving them a free bra,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re having a bad month or a bad year. If you need a free bra, we’ll give you one.”
Working with 30 to 40 local organizations and schools, Masucci distributes items through free stores. During the pandemic, she gave away more than 100,000 menstrual products through Pittsburgh Food Bank drive-through pickups.
“This whole operation depends on volunteers who are as passionate about helping as I am,” she said, inviting interested people to reach out to her at her store to learn more about ways they can help.
Whether through transportation services, food pantries or essential personal items, these nonprofits demonstrate that kindness isn’t just about meeting basic needs. It’s about treating every person with dignity, building trust and creating communities where people help people because they have a heart for service.
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