Feeding the Spirit plans Harvest Hoedown fundraiser as demand grows in Westmoreland County

Feeding the Spirit will host its annual Harvest Hoedown on Sept. 26 in North Huntingdon to raise money for crisis support, shelter help and meals for Westmoreland County residents. The Greensburg nonprofit says a new downtown office, a Hillman Foundation grant and a 100,000-meal milestone show both its growth and the rising need it is serving.

Why it matters: - Feeding the Spirit is raising money for urgent help that includes food, shelter support and crisis management for Westmoreland County residents facing financial hardship, homelessness and hunger. - The fundraiser comes as the nonprofit expands its capacity with a new administrative office and outside grant support. - The group says community donations help it respond quickly and build longer-term stability for people in crisis.

What happened: - Feeding the Spirit will hold its annual Harvest Hoedown fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon. - The event will include appetizers, homemade pies, live bluegrass music, line dancing and raffles. - Proceeds will support crisis management and transition assistance work. - Tickets, sponsorship materials and volunteer information are available at More information. - Raffle item donations can be emailed to Michelle Havrilesko at michelleh.fts@gmail.com.

The details: - Feeding the Spirit opened its first administrative office in downtown Greensburg in 2026. - The office gives the 15-year-old nonprofit a permanent base for operations, volunteers and community partnerships. - Feeding the Spirit was one of four Westmoreland County nonprofits to receive a competitive Hillman Foundation grant. - The nonprofit was founded in 2011. - Its services include crisis management, emergency shelter, rent support and connections to longer-term community and government services. - Weekly meals remain part of the organization’s work. - Volunteers planted a garden this year that supplies fresh produce for Thursday night dinners. - Feeding the Spirit served its 100,000th meal this year.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser appears to be both a revenue event and a visibility moment for a nonprofit that is scaling up while demand continues to rise. - The Hillman Foundation grant and new office suggest Feeding the Spirit is becoming a more established player in the region’s safety net. - The organization’s mix of immediate aid and longer-term referrals reflects a model aimed at stabilizing people fast enough to prevent deeper crisis.

What’s next: - Feeding the Spirit will use fundraiser proceeds to keep supporting individuals and families with urgent needs. - The organization is also inviting the community to contribute through tickets, sponsorships, volunteer time and raffle donations. - Continued growth in services will likely depend on the same mix of philanthropy and volunteer support that powers the Harvest Hoedown.

The bottom line: - Feeding the Spirit is using its annual fundraiser to meet rising need while marking a year of major growth, from a new office to a major grant and a 100,000-meal milestone.