A Pittsburgh Charity Gave Away Food on Friday. The Line Was a Mile Long.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank distributed two boxes of food to each vehicle, enough to make 40 meals.

Motorists lined up for over a mile for emergency groceries offered Friday at a drive-up site run by a Pittsburgh food bank.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank distributed two boxes of food to each vehicle, enough to make 40 meals. The food bank helped 1,300 people but had to turn some people away at the three-hour event at PPG Paints Arena, spokeswoman Beth Burrell said in an email.

Aerial footage from KDKA-TV showed a long line of cars stretching over a mile. Long lines have been routine at emergency food giveaways held across the region in recent weeks. The food bank said it plans to hold additional events Monday in Duquesne and Tuesday in Butler.

Many people are seeking help for the first time, Charlese McKinney, a director at the Great Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, told KDKA, calling the need troubling.

“They had jobs, they were able to care for their families, but their hours have been reduced or their jobs have been furloughed for a time being,” McKinney said.

Friday’s event was co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Police Department