Speaker: Erin Spangler, Opal

This discussion will provide a broad overview of the current food assistance landscape including accessing resources in Allegheny County, including the Food Bank’s proxy program and other flexible distribution models, as well as implications of the government shutdown. We will also explore the gaps in our understanding of food insecurity among people with disabilities and consider how a “neighbors helping neighbors” approach can strengthen advocacy efforts and information sharing to ensure everyone has access to the food and resources needed to thrive.

Join us for our upcoming Community Lecture Night! This will be online only. Please register for the event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/auHdLYQGS46x30YBO_ZTmQ

• When: November 24th from 6:00-7:30 PM
• Where: Zoom AND streaming on YouTube
• Meeting Accessibility:
  • There will be sign language interpreters and closed captioning available on Zoom. 
  • Chat will be disabled on Zoom during the lecture to better serve people using screen readers. Participants will still be able to message the hosts.
  • When it comes time for the Q&A, people may ask by messaging in the chat so the host can read it out loud or by raising their hand on Zoom so the host can call on them to ask by voice or by ASL.
  • For more information, check out our Technical Info page.

If anyone has any other access needs please contact accessmobpittsburgh@gmail.com as soon as possible, but no later than November 19th.

Speaker Biographies:

Erin Spangler is the Director of Collective Impact at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. In her role, Erin leads the Food Bank’s Collective Impact Initiative and oversees the Collaborative Learning and Community Connections teams, which work to strengthen partnerships and share information to better serve the community. She holds a Master of Science in Community Nutrition from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Temple University. She’s passionate about reducing stigma and raising awareness of food assistance resources to ensure that everyone can access the food they need to thrive.

Opal is the Executive Director of PCDJ and a longtime community leader with over 35 years of experience in organizing and social work across disability, queer, youth, faith, and immigration spaces. Opal is an autistic, trans, non-binary and multiply disabled parent of autistic, disabled, queer, and trans children. They lead with empathy, precision, and deep commitment to equity. They also facilitate the region’s largest mutual aid network (DPMA), addressing poverty and food insecurity from both professional and lived perspectives. Outside of work, Opal enjoys singing, Hallmark movies, faith-based projects, and planning for Christmas year-round.

Funding for this lecture comes from a grant from the Opportunity Fund.