Allegheny County

Company stepping in to help vulnerable communities struggling to find essentials during pandemic

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh-area company is helping vulnerable communities get essential items during the coronavirus pandemic.

Koppers Holdings Inc. teamed up with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. The goal of the program is to help people in neighborhoods like Homewood, the Northside, the Hill District and Duquesne get what they need.

“I am eternally grateful. When I got the phone call yesterday, I actually cried,” said Duquesne Mayor Nikole Nesby.

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Nesby said many families in the area were already struggling before the coronavirus outbreak.

“Literally a dollar, $5, $10, that all adds up,” said Leroy Ball, CEO of Koppers Holdings. He said he hopes more companies will step up to help buy things like paper towels, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and toilet paper for people who need the items.

Ball said the plan is to distribute the items in the coming weeks.

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