Central Baptist Church of Pittsburgh

About Us

For 135 years, Central Baptist Church has been a steadfast presence in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, serving generations through worship, education, advocacy, outreach, and compassionate care. Throughout our history, we have remained committed to meeting both the spiritual and practical needs of our neighbors.

More than 50 years ago, under the leadership of Central Baptist Church’s eighth pastor, the Rev. Dr. Isaac Green, that commitment gave birth to the Central Baptist Church Soup Kitchen. What began as a faithful response to hunger and economic hardship has become one of the church’s longest-standing community ministries. For generations, members, volunteers, businesses, and community partners have helped prepare and distribute meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Each meal represents more than nourishment. It reflects our belief that every person deserves to be welcomed with dignity, treated with compassion, and reminded that they are not alone.

A New Season of Service

Today, under the progressive leadership of Central Baptist Church’s tenth pastor, the Rev. Courtney D. Meadows, this historic ministry is entering a new season of growth and expanded impact. Building upon the foundation established by Rev. Dr. Isaac Green and sustained by generations of faithful servants, Pastor Meadows has advanced a vision that moves the ministry beyond the traditional soup kitchen model and toward the development of the Help on the Hill Community Resource Center.

Nutritious meals remain at the heart of our work, but our vision extends beyond the plate. We recognize that hunger is often connected to unemployment, housing instability, limited access to clothing and essential items, social isolation, mental health concerns, and difficulty navigating public benefits and community resources.

Help on the Hill seeks to serve the whole person by meeting immediate needs while connecting individuals and families with resources that promote long-term stability, resilience, and well-being.

What We Do

Through Help on the Hill, Central Baptist Church provides year-round services to youth, adults, seniors, and families in the Hill District and surrounding communities. Our work includes nutritious hot meals, food and clothing assistance, benefits and resource navigation, workforce and employment referrals, housing support, mental health awareness, behavioral health referrals, resilience-building, and opportunities for social connection.

We also offer service-learning experiences for students, schools, congregations, businesses, and community groups. Volunteers may assist with meal preparation, package food, organize donations, assemble care packages, support distribution, welcome guests, and help maintain a safe and inviting resource center. These hands-on experiences encourage empathy, teamwork, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families.

More Than a Meal

At Help on the Hill, food is often the first point of connection. A hot meal may provide relief for someone choosing between groceries and another essential expense. A caring conversation may reduce isolation. Clothing assistance may help someone prepare for employment. A connection to benefits, housing support, workforce training, or behavioral health services may become the beginning of a more stable future.

Our goal is not simply to respond to hunger for one day. We seek to help individuals and families identify resources, build supportive relationships, and take meaningful steps toward lasting stability.

Help Us Carry the Work Forward

We cannot do this work alone. As community needs continue to grow, we invite individuals, congregations, businesses, foundations, schools, and organizations to help us expand the reach and impact of Help on the Hill.

Your financial gift can help purchase nutritious food, meal containers, kitchen supplies, clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials. Your partnership can help us expand workforce development, mental wellness, housing navigation, and family support. Your volunteer service can help prepare meals, organize donations, welcome guests, and create a compassionate environment for everyone who enters our doors.

Every gift matters. Every volunteer makes a difference. Every partnership moves us closer to the vision of a fully developed community resource center serving the whole person.

Together, we can honor Central Baptist Church’s 135-year legacy, sustain this vital ministry, and build a future in which every neighbor has access to food, dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Help us meet needs. Help us build hope. Help us strengthen our community.