The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, in cooperation with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, is hosting its annual Donation Day on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Guests will receive one free general daytime Zoo admission in exchange for each accepted, non-perishable item donated. Visitors are welcome to bring multiple accepted items, such as canned goods and dry goods, that will support neighbors across southwestern Pennsylvania facing food insecurity.

Donation Day focuses on gratitude and appreciation, offering an opportunity to give to the community and say thank you for supporting the Zoo and our neighbors in need. In 2024, guests donated 2,095 pounds (over 1 ton) of food to support their neighbors in need. Both organizations hope to continue the generosity this year.

“The Zoo is happy to present this holiday event for the fifth consecutive year,” said Chief Advancement Officer Ron Gruca. “It is the perfect way to give back to our neighbors at this time of year and share our mission to inspire community involvement.”

“At Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, we are proud partners of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, working hand-in-hand to address food insecurity and ensure everyone has access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive,” said Charla Irwin-Buncher, Chief External Affairs Officer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “This commitment to feeding those in need of food assistance comes at a critical time, when more and more neighbors lean on food resources amid the holiday season, high heating bills and the residual effects of the government shutdown.”

Due to construction at the Zoo’s front gates, donation items will be collected at the top of the Zoo escalator in the Village area from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will receive a voucher to exchange for free entry for each accepted item; vouchers are only available for the guests donating and cannot be used by other guests or on different days. Additional items beyond the number of visiting guests will be gladly accepted. Donation Day free admission is not applicable to additional daytime paid programming or Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience. Qualifying items must be non-perishable, shelf-stable, and have not yet passed their expiration dates. No glass items, please.