Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net Candlelight Memorial Service 2020

On December 21, from 12 to 8 p.m., the first day of winter, the winter solstice, and the longest night of the year, Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net will host a candlelight memorial service to remember the individuals who are known to have died while experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County in 2020. This year’s observance takes place over eight hours to prevent a large gathering from occurring.

The event, hosted annually since 1998 by Pittsburgh Mercy at the wall of memorial plaques at Fort Pitt Boulevard and Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, is one of many taking place today in more than 100 U.S. cities in observance of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. There, beneath a busy highway overpass, a memorial wall of bronze plaques commemorates the 170* individuals who are known to have died while homeless in Allegheny County since 1989. Face coverings and social distancing will be mandatory while visiting. A guest book will be provided to sign and there will be an opportunity to say a few words for a video being compiled for Pittsburgh Mercy’s social media pages. *This number is subject to change between now and December 21.

To learn more about our work to help individuals who are experiencing homelessness, including ways you can help, please visit our homeless services page. To make a memorial gift in honor of someone who has died, or to join us in our fight to help end homelessness in Pittsburgh, please visit our Give page or call Pittsburgh Mercy Development’s Office at 412-697-0730.