THE HISTORY OF STUFF-A-TRUCK

The first Stuff-a-Truck event in 2021 was put together by a handful of tireless individuals with the USC Democratic Committee with little more than a moment’s notice. What began on a collective whim of generosity and compulsion to act culminated in a celebratory event that brought community members together and collected thousands of diapers and socks for Braddock’s Free Store 15104. There were food trucks, games, pictures with John and Gisele Fetterman, and a spirit of camaraderie and togetherness that had been missing throughout the pandemic. It was a day for the books, so a yearly event was born.

The second annual Stuff-a-Truck was co-hosted with the Bethel Park Democratic Committee and was part of a South Hills “Weekend of Action” initiative heralded by State Representative and Majority Whip Dan Miller. The event moved to the South Park Amphitheater, which gave attendees the space to settle in for the afternoon. There were food trucks, games, and over $2500 in donated basket raffle prizes. State and local candidates spent time with community members and constituents, and Congresswoman (then candidate) Summer Lee called the raffle winners. And you can be sure Gisele Fetterman was there gushing with gratitude for the gifts the day supplied to the Free Store.

Donations from last year’s event supplied Braddock’s Free Store 15104 with over 55 containers of formula and 11,00 diapers. Those donations kept diapers in stock for more than ten months. It was an incredible showing of fellowship and generosity, and our goal is to collect even more this year – if you’re up for the challenge.

We’ll be back at the South Park Amphitheater on September 9 with live entertainment and food trucks, including Old Ben’s Cantina, Benvenuti’s Pizza Factory, Syrian Aroma, and Happy Day Dessert Factory. Enjoy friendly competition with corn hole, try a hand at the claw machine, see what prizes are hiding in the duck pond, and get stickers to cover every laptop, tablet, and water bottle. Bring chairs or a blanket to picnic and spend the afternoon chatting with Democratic candidates and officials, including Summer Lee, Sara Innamorato, Erica Brusselers, Jill Beck, and Dan Grzybek. (Or avoid them. Honestly, that’s okay too. Maybe buy some extra raffle tickets if you do though 😏). Spend some time getting to know the USC Unites School Board and Township Commissioner candidates, and of course, make sure to get a profile-worthy pic with Gisele Fetterman! (The internet loves those)

This year’s basket raffle prizes, all generously gifted by the community, are valued at more than $3500, and we’ve got something for everyone! Basket themes include banned books, MacKenzie Childs, items from local, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, private wellness sessions, Children’s Museum membership, a myriad goodies donated by local eateries and businesses, and so much more! And new this year will be a children’s raffle. Kids will have the chance to win Lego sets, Squishmallows, and more in their own mini raffle!

Most important is our goal for the day: stuffing a truck with diapers and formula. Can this community, our community, bring in at least 100 containers of formula and 13,500 diapers for the Free Store 15104? Can we provide enough diapers to last for an entire year?

That’s a lot of babies you can help feed and diaper by spending an afternoon in the park.

So, what is the Stuff-a-Truck event, you ask? It’s an event about giving and community building, where you can eat good food, win amazing prizes and meet (or avoid) Democratic candidates. We sincerely hope you’ll join us.