‘Access Pittsburgh’ (04/24)

Want the 411 on the 412? “Access Pittsburgh” has you covered with top stories!

PDP’s Gift Card initiative to support small businesses:

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Strip District Neighbors teamed up to start an initiative to support small businesses in the area during the coronavirus pandemic, and they’ve received an unprecedented response.

The “Gift Card Give Back” initiative launched on April 16 and provides incentives for shoppers to purchase gift cards from more than 60 participating small businesses with an additional 25% give-back bonus on every purchase.

The initiative has processed nearly $90,000 in economic impact for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information and to purchase gift cards, click here.

National Aviary keeps learning going:

The National Aviary is getting creative and offering cyberlearning -- called CyBIRD learning.

This includes a number of educational programs on its website to help families learn everything about birds and their habitats, right from their fingertips.

There’s even a program all about penguins, just in time for World Penguin Day this Saturday.

The programs are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Find more information here.

National Tell a Story Day:

April 27 is National Tell a Story Day, and many places in the area have ways to help you celebrate.

Phipps Conservatory is giving the ultimate storytime experience by hosting a 15-minute storybook reading every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- you just have to register on their website before the reading.

To sign up, click here.

On top of the Wednesday reads, you can always look back at our WPXI talent’s recordings of their favorite stories.

A few weeks ago, our talent wanted to read stories for the kiddos in the community to hear -- and more are being added to the list.

You can hear your favorites from Katherine Amenta, Scott Harbaugh, Trisha Pitman, David Johnson, Peggy Finegin and more.

You can find all their recordings on WPXI’s Youtube channel under the 11 Kids Corner playlist.

NFL Draft:

Although sporting events are still canceled for the time being, the NFL draft is still happening!

The draft kicked off Thursday night and is providing that sports fix we all needed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their first pick Friday -- so make sure to follow along with the channel 11 sports team for everything you need to know.

Along with their exciting first pick on Friday, the Steelers will donate to the Salvation Army and United Way as part of the NFL’s draft-a-thon.

If you want to find out more about how to donate, click here.

Eat’n Park:

Eat’n Park is the place for smiles -- and milk, bread and toilet paper!

The Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain launched a temporary grocery program Wednesday and will be providing some groceries, along with its usual menu.

For more information, click here.

For more on our top stories, look out for “Access Pittsburgh” every Friday on the WPXI “See and Be Seen” Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

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