Community Engagement

Sweetwater is proud to be a part of Leetsdale and the larger Quaker Valley School District community. Mere yards from the border with Ambridge in Beaver County, we are also honored to serve that community.

Ambridge is an area of significant need, with a poverty rate 30% higher than the Pennsylvania average.

In March 2025, we implemented two initiatives to help meet the needs of our communities: a little free pantry, and a standing diaper/period products drive.

Sweetwater installed a Little Free Pantry in March 2025. Come visit to take what you need and leave what you can!

Who is Little Free Pantry for?

  • LFP is for those who want and/or need to give.

  • LFP is for those not easily able to meet everyday food and personal needs.

  • LFP is for a hungry kid after school or a home cook who needs more rice.

  • LFP is for everyone.

How does Little Free Pantry differ from other food pantries? 

  • The LFP is small, limiting its quantity and variety. Bricks-and-mortar food pantries are better at meeting pervasive need.

  • But some fall through the cracks. The LFP is a safety net.

  • For example, many bricks-and-mortar food pantries require an application. Most have hours of operation. Anyone may access the LFP at any time.

  • LFP is a centrally-located reminder of our neighbors’ need that creates neighborhood space for exercising compassion, trust, and mutual aid.


diaper and period product drop off

What we accept:

  • new or opened diaper packages

  • wipes

  • diaper ointments

  • period products (pads, tampons, menstrual cups)

Donate any of these items at the designated dropoff point in our lobby and we will bring them to the Center for Hope in Ambridge each month.

Did you Know?

  • Families can’t use public assistance like WIC or SNAP to buy diapers

  • 1 in 2 families struggle to buy diapers

  • Many daycares require one week’s worth of diapers to enroll

  • 1 in 3 low-income people who menstruate have missed work of school because of a lack of period products

  • If you have an HSA or FSA, you can use pretax dollars to buy period supplies and diapers