*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* CONTACT: Kate Snyder East End Cooperative Ministry 412.361.5549 ext.422 *eecm@eecm.org* *East End Cooperative Ministry * *Rallies Community to Have a Heart for Hunger * *Pittsburgh**, PA** February 11, 2009* – 40 local congregations, 6 businesses, 4 schools and hundreds of individuals (so far!) are joining forces with East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) to combat hunger in the East End of Pittsburgh during EECM's annual *Have a Heart for Hunger*campaign. The economic downturn has resulted in dramatically increased demand at Food Pantries throughout the City. At EECM, there has been a 20% increase over the last six months in families needing food. EECM invites the community to join the *Have a Heart for Hunger* campaign! Ways to get involved include: *Make a Donation* – All financial contributions to the campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor, up to $30,000 and will benefit EECM's Hunger Programs. For every dollar donated, EECM gets two! *Organize a Food Drive* – Food drives are being hosted by individuals, churches, synagogues, banks, schools, grocery stores, and a variety of other businesses to collect donations for the EECM Food Pantry. We accept donations of any non-perishable food items. *Eat Pancakes* – Join the EECM Young Professionals for *Pancakes in the PM*, a benefit dinner at P&G Pamela's in the Strip on Thursday, March 12 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Suggested donation is $25 and will benefit the *Have a Heart for Hunger* campaign. More information about the *Have a Heart for Hunger* campaign is available on the EECM website at www.eecm.org/heart.htm. *About East End Cooperative Ministry* EECM is a non-profit, interfaith human services organization. Since 1970, EECM has provided direct services to the homeless, the hungry, the elderly, and the at-risk children and youth in Pittsburgh's economically distressed East End neighborhoods. EECM programs include, but are not limited to, Meals on Wheels, Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Men's Emergency Shelter, 2 transitional housing programs, a non-medical respite care program, in-school and after-school outreach programs, and Summer Day Camp. For more information: contact EECM at 412.361.5549, ext. 422, email eecm@eecm.org or visit www.eecm.org and www.eecmblog.org. ******************************