PITTSBURGH -- During the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pirates president Travis Williams said the team’s charitable arm looked out at the Pittsburgh community focused on one thing: “Filling the gaps of need.”

“The Pirates organization and Pirates Charities have a long history of helping our communities, and we take a lot of pride in representing this great city of Pittsburgh,” Williams said. “It’s what Pittsburghers do, right? We all lean in and help one another in times of need, and there was no greater time of need than 2020. As an organization as a whole, we believe in this.”

That began with helping people in need of food and supplies, which Pirates Charities worked toward through partnerships with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Giant Eagle. Then they wanted to care for those on the front lines of the pandemic, including health care workers at Allegheny Health Network and grocery store employees at Giant Eagle. Players got involved, too, supporting local restaurants and hospital staff.

As Opening Day of this shortened season drew nearer, it became apparent to the Pirates just how severely that small local businesses and local non-profit organizations were being affected by the pandemic. That led to the “Family Forever” campaign, in which they supported a handful of small businesses and non-profits by raising money and awareness, that ran throughout the season.

Now, with Thanksgiving and the holiday season upon us, the Pirates are still giving back to fill those “gaps of need” in the area. All month, Pirates Charities has joined with players, coaches, staff and fans to raise money for four local non-profit organizations so that they can provide food and housing for underserved families, help at-risk youth, provide clothing and gifts for children, and aid those stricken by poverty or addiction.

The four organizations that will benefit from this campaign are the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, Urban Impact, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Light of Life.

Pirates players and coaches, including starter Chad Kuhl and manager Derek Shelton, have taken to social media along with their families to get the word out. Fans can still take part at Pirates.com/Friendsgiving. Pirates Charities has committed to pledge a minimum of $50,000 in total matching donations.

“The response has been tremendous. As throughout the entire pandemic, I couldn’t be more appreciative or thankful for the level of care that has been displayed by our players and coaches as well as our employees,” Williams said. “They’ve been tremendous at raising awareness of different groups and programs throughout our communities where we live, work and play, and also helping to contribute directly. Whether they’re raising awareness or contributing directly, the support from everyone has been great.”

Under normal circumstances, the Pirates would physically get out in the community this time of year, whether it’s on the annual CARE-a-van or through other means, to offer their support. They did that, in a socially distanced way, on Monday as they partnered up with the Food Bank and Giant Eagle to distribute Thanksgiving meals to 300 local families in need. Williams, bench coach Don Kelly and the Pirate Parrot were among the 25 employees who held the drive-through event on Mazeroski Way.

But as with everything else in 2020, they’ve had to get creative to give back. For instance, the Salvation Army and WTAE-TV can’t hold their traditional Project Bundle-Up this year. Normally, that event would see 30 kids and seniors let loose inside a local store to purchase top-end winter outerwear alongside Pirates players and coaches. With that option off the table, the Salvation Army will either provide those families with vouchers to shop for themselves or purchase their clothes before hosting a drive-up distribution event.

The funds raised through the “Friendsgiving” initiative will help contribute to that cause as well as the “Treasures for Children” holiday toy drive, enabling the Salvation Army to provide toys for all the children who signed up for the program.

“Pittsburgh, more than any other city I’ve ever seen, is very centered on its sports teams -- and I lived in Boston for seven years. So seeing the Pirates and the Pens and Steelers participate in these programs, I think that tells other people that it’s OK to also participate,” said Andrew Cader, the director of Project Bundle-Up. “It becomes more of what the city does and who they are instead of just another organization participating in the program. I think it’s important for families, for people of means in this area to understand the role of the Pirates and the other teams as well.

“It helps us get the message out further to other people who otherwise might not have their eyes on the program. So it’s not just helping the people who are on these trips or receiving assistance this year; it’s about telling other people that it is OK to be in Pittsburgh and participate in Project Bundle-Up.”

All the donations the Pirates receive throughout November will be distributed in early December, giving those organizations time to purchase the items they need and hold their events throughout the holiday season.

“We had to do it in a little different way than we would normally do it, so we’re really continuing with the idea of filling in those gaps of need, focused on helping critical community organizations be able to fulfill their mission this season,” Williams said. “These non-profits and organizations have been hit hard by the pandemic like everyone else, so they’re struggling to be able to fulfill the needs they normally do for all our neighbors and communities. So we developed this to ensure that these worthwhile organizations can continue to serve those in need throughout our community.”