PA Treasurer Rob McCord Returns $1,500 in Unclaimed Property, Presents $400 Donation from Treasury Employees to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Duquesne, PA – December 16, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Proceeds from a nine-year-old, uncashed $1,500 check will soon be back in the rightful possession of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank after Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord today reunited the organization with its unclaimed property.

Treasurer McCord said the returned funds – which are part of more than $5,000 owed to food banks across the state – may help the organization meet demand from those in the community who are struggling amidst the difficult economy.

“The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank says about 3,500 new families show up here each month in search of assistance, but food donations are down, so they are forced to purchase more food to meet that demand. On top of that, state and federal aid is not as readily available as it once was,” said Treasurer McCord, who also presented canned goods and $400 in donations from employees of the State Treasury Department. “The unclaimed property we are returning today – in addition to our donations – will help to fill a portion of that need, so more families will have food on their tables during the holiday season.”

According to some estimates, food banks are able to provide $15 worth of food for every $1 donated by coupling it with matching funds.

“Every dollar helps the Food Bank help more people,” said Jermaine Husser, CEO of the Food Bank. “Thanks to our State Treasury employees for being so diligent!”

Treasurer McCord said as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s claim makes evident, unclaimed property awaits all types of organizations – not just people. Treasury’s unclaimed property database lists 13 claims valued at $5,000 that are owed to food banks across the Commonwealth. Those claims are among the $1.8 billion in unclaimed property Treasury now holds that belongs to charities, businesses, child care centers, fire departments and other nonprofit organizations.

“Businesses, financial institutions, and other organizations continuously turn over unclaimed property to Treasury,” Treasurer McCord said. “It’s a common misconception that only individuals have unclaimed property waiting for them. Regardless of who you are or what institutions you represent, take the time to search our free online database. There may be property owed to you or your organization.”
Treasury’s unclaimed database is available at www.patreasury.gov. Those wishing to search for property may also call 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Treasury administers the state’s unclaimed property law. Each year, the department receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – things such as abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, contents of safe deposit boxes – to reunite with rightful owners. Since January 2009, the department has returned more than $288 million.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program, visit www.patreasury.gov.

Media contact: Elizabeth Foose, 717-787-2991 or

Editor’s note: Below is a sample of food banks with unclaimed property, grouped by county. For more information or to find out if other food banks or hunger relief organizations have unclaimed property, please call (717) 787-2991.

Allegheny
Food Pantry, Pittsburgh

Chester
Food Bank Super Thrift, Parkesburg

Dauphin
South Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg

Erie
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA, Erie

Fayette
Apostolic Gospel Food Bank, Brownsville

Philadelphia
Open Door Mission Church Food Bank