Drink coffee to fight food insecurity, watch seniors run free at the zoo and more in ETC.

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Drink coffee, fight food insecurity

Under the leadership of Commonplace Coffee, eight Pennsylvania-based coffee roasters are raising money to support people struggling with food insecurity.

Participating companies are roasting the same coffee produced by Asociación de Mujeres Productoras Agropecuarias del Cauca (AMACA), a farming group formed in 1999 by 80 women from El Tambo, Colombia. Roasters of the Be the Bridge Coffee include 19 Coffee Company, Arriviste, Commonplace Coffee, De Fer Coffee & Tea, La Prima Espresso Co., Redstart Roasters, Reginald’s Coffee and Rothrock Coffee.

Each roaster is putting its own twist on the beans. Be the Bridge Coffee is now being sold in 12-ounce bags citywide, with $5 from each sale going to Feeding Pennsylvania, a nonprofit association of nine food banks located throughout the state.

Go wild on National Senior Health & Fitness Day

People aged 60 and older are invited to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium to participate in the 28th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 26. It’s the largest senior health and wellness event in the nation, with more than 100,000 people expected to participate in health promotion events across the country.

UPMC for Life is hosting the event. UPMC for Life members and seniors will receive free admission and a T-shirt as they enjoy self-guided walks. A UPMC for Life Health Care Concierge team will also be on hand to help schedule Covid vaccine and mammogram appointments. Face masks are required at both indoor and outdoor locations for all visitors over the age of 2.

Enter your green thumb in the Phipps Sustainable Garden Awards program

Know someone with a residential garden that’s beautiful and environmentally friendly? Nominate them for the Phipps Sustainable Garden Awards program by July 20. There are five categories: Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens, Gardens that Manage Stormwater, Micro-Gardens, Abundant Edible Gardens and Gardens for Personal Retreat.

Garden nominations are open to anyone living in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Beaver and Butler counties. Gardens must, at a minimum, be managed organically and be free of invasive plants. Winners will have their garden professionally photographed and will be featured at Phipps’ Native Plant and Sustainability Conference this fall.

Nominate a teen for The Shyne Awards

The Shyne Awards Foundation, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the positive achievements of teens, seek nominations for young adults, ages 13 through 19, who positively contribute to art, academics, community service, entrepreneurship, ministry, science, overcoming obstacles or youth group participation. All nominations must be received by June 3. The annual awards ceremony on August 8 will include a red carpet event, guest appearances by local and national celebrities, entertainment and more.