Families filled Recon Brewing on Sunday for brunch with Santa Claus, who sat at the restaurant’s entrance beside a Christmas tree that was crowded not with presents but with food donations.

As kids and their parents indulged in a brunch buffet, Santa, acted by 54-year-old Mark Allen of Butler County, greeted them with festive cheer. He and restaurant workers collected canned goods, cereals, grains and proteins to be donated to the South Hills Interfaith Movement at the end of the month.

It’s one of many holiday food drives and fundraisers taking place around the Pittsburgh region this winter. Alongside the Recon brunch, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is hosting a photos with Santa fundraiser at Downtown’s Holiday Market, and Bakery Square is taking nonperishable food donation

See Full Page