Who We Are

In 2007 at the urging of one of its members a local church’s board of deacons put up a bulletin board that listed blessings to give and blessings to receive. At that time anything could be listed on the deacon’s bulletin board from pool tables to strollers to yard work to tutoring. Items were collected and kept in a residential garage until someone expressed a need for them. When that quickly became full, the church rented storage units, and then a small house on another church’s property.

Over those first years the initial concept evolved to focus on Christ’s call to help our neighbors, extending the reach beyond the local church. In 2010 a board of directors was formed and, with nothing but some mission funds from the church and a dedicated group of volunteers, The Blessing Board was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

From being housed initially in a garage, to storage units, to a small house, to an industrial park in Penn Hills, to warehouses in Oakmont and McKeesport, to warehouses in Shaler and West Mifflin, The Blessing Board has held fast to its mission. As of mid-2023 more than 11,500 families have been served, representing approximately 25,000 individuals including 12,000 children 18 and under, more than 160,000 items have been given away, and 6.3 tons of furniture have been kept out of landfills. On average 250 volunteers serve a total of 15,000 hours each year.

What began as a tiny grassroots organization has become a professionally run organization serving more than 1,500 families each year at its two locations in Shaler and West Mifflin. The 24,000 square foot facility in Shaler is off Route 8. This location is close to the city, providing convenient access to the northern regions of Pittsburgh. Our 28,000 square foot warehouse in West Mifflin off Lebanon Road provides access for the southern regions. Additionally, the Vintage Market at the Shaler location is a highly successful resale shop, currently funding approximately 20% of The Blessing Board’s $1.25 million dollar budget. Individuals and groups of volunteers continue to provide much needed help for a small but mighty staff.