Pittsburgh DSA has prided itself in providing and maintaining community services to the city since its founding in 2017. We seek to help out our community in several different ways:
Hot Food Distro: The Ecosocialism & Mutual Aid Committee sets up every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 6-8pm to serve prepared meals to anyone who comes by Community Forge in Wilkinsburg, where Pittsburgh DSA has our office. In fair weather, we are just outside the building, otherwise we are just inside the front atrium. All our welcome to eat, bring food or supplies to share, and help with setup or packaging leftovers that travel to other food distros later in the week.
Free Little Library and Free Stuff Pantry: The Ecosocialism & Mutual Aid Committee has maintained a free food/resource pantry just outside of Community Forge at 1256 Franklin Ave. Right next to it is also a free little library. Community Forge has since started its own emergency pantry inside the building that guests can inquire about by visiting Community Forge in person, so we no longer regularly stock the food pantry, but it is still available for occasional dropping and sharing of supplies.
Community Garden: Down the street from Community Forge, our Ecosocialism & Mutual Aid Committee also maintains a few garden beds for the Stone Soup Community Garden. Since 2018 the committee has grown produce to give out for free to neighbors. The committee hopes to increase awareness of the garden and educate the community in how to grow their own produce.
Brake Light Clinics: The Abolition & Anti-Imperialism Committee has organized a few Brake Light Clinics, which invite drivers to get their brake lights replaced for free to prevent unnecessary stops and possible confrontation with police.
Abortion Fundraising: Every spring the chapter hosts several fundraising events to provide funds to Western PA Fund For Choice. This fundraising provides abortion access to communities all around Western PA, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Campaign Support: The Elections & Pressure Campaigns Committee works to find candidates and legislative campaigns which the chapter can support. In the past we have helped to elect leftists to Allegheny County Council, Pittsburgh City Council, and a local magistrate position. We have also supported campaigns such as Uncommitted PA, Not on Our Dime, and more. Read more about our endorsement process.
Tenant Union and Labor Union Support: Whether tenants need to come together to get rent prices under control or workers need to come together to fight for living wages, Pittsburgh DSA is here to support and advise working class people who need unions.
Education Events: Our chapter provides multiple ways to educate the community through forums, night schools, and roundtable discussions in addition to the political education presentations we have at monthly general body meetings. The Political Education Committee and other standing committees also host film screenings and reading groups. Past topics include: gardening, basic home repairs, unionizing, fracking, disaster preparedness, the philosophies of scholars such as Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg, and more.