Christine Patti’s front yard at 420 Parkview Drive will soon transform into a hub of generosity for the fifth and final David T. Bannon Memorial Food and Fund Drive, a community effort honoring her late son’s legacy of helping others.

The annual event, held July 12 to 27 this year, collects food, supplies and monetary donations for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Early birds are welcome to start dropping off items July 1.

Patti launched the drive after her son, David, a Hoover Elementary, Jefferson Middle and Mt. Lebanon High School graduate, died at age 34 in 2020 after contracting three types of pneumonia.

“David was the kind of person who always wanted to help the underdog,” Patti said.

Since its inception, the drive has raised $155,000 and collected nearly 18,000 pounds of food, providing vital support to the food bank’s mission. Maria Montaro, corporate and community giving manager at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, said Patti’s impact has been extraordinary.

“Her support has just been so incredible to see, and it’s been such a privilege to witness Christine rallying her community in honor of her son,” Montaro said.

The drive raised  $30,000 and 4,000 pounds of food in its first year, and has since expanded to include more than 40 themed raffle baskets donated by local businesses and friends.

Visitors who drop off food or supplies between noon and 7 p.m., July 12 to 27 can purchase raffle tickets, with all proceeds going to the food bank. Out-of-town supporters can donate online and request tickets for specific baskets.

Patti’s involvement with the food bank extends beyond the drive. She has volunteered regularly since 2019, first with the Produce to People program and now at the food bank’s on-site pantry, The Market, which serves about 150 customers daily. Montaro said Patti has donated more than 215 hours of service.

“She’s really committed to solving hunger in our community,” Montaro said. “She also volunteers with other organizations like the Red Door downtown, providing food and supplies to neighbors in need.”

With the food bank facing the loss of $1.6 million in USDA funding this summer, Montaro said community fundraising efforts like Patti’s are especially important.

“It’s a critical time to support this work,” she said. “We are so grateful Christine is hosting the fundraiser one last time.”

Megan Greenfield, a junior at Mt. Lebanon High School and the head volunteer for the drive, has helped since its beginning. Greenfield, who lives on Parkview Drive near Patti, said the event has grown into something special.

“Chris has turned such a tragic event into such a beautiful thing,” Greenfield said. “She’s brought the neighborhood together. Every year, maybe a couple hundred people stop by at some point.”

The drive also features a “Gone Too Soon” memorial board on its website, honoring children and siblings who have passed away. Patti introduced the board in 2023. It grew from 37 names its first year to 108 last summer.

“Anyone who has lost someone too soon can bring a name to Christine’s house or message her, and it will be added,” Montaro said. “It’s such a beautiful way to honor not just David’s memory, but the memory of so many others.”

Patti hopes this year’s drive will surpass $200,000 and 20,000 pounds of food, potentially providing up to 600,000 meals.

It concludes with a celebration on Patti’s front lawn on July 27 from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring the Kona Ice truck, which will donate 25 percent of its proceeds to the food bank. Mt. Lebanon police officers, local volunteers and neighbors are expected to gather for
the sendoff.

Patti said she decided to end the drive after five years because of the emotional toll, though she plans to continue supporting food insecurity efforts in other ways. She credited her partner, Alan Beall, for his help.

“None of this would happen without Alan,” Patti said. “He holds me up every day.”

Supporters can donate dollars — the most impactful way to help, according to Montaro  — or bring high-need items like canned fruit, canned chicken or tuna, peanut butter and paper products.

For more information, including a full list of needed items, or to donate, supporters can visit David’s memorial food drive page.