Donation Day was originally going to be held on December 30, 2025; it has been rescheduled to Monday, February 16, 2026.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, in cooperation with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, is hosting its annual Donation Day on Monday, February 16, 2026. Guests will receive one free general daytime Zoo admission on February 16 in exchange for each accepted, non-perishable item donated on Donation Day. Visitors are welcome to bring multiple accepted items, such as canned goods and dry goods, in support neighbors across southwestern Pennsylvania facing food insecurity.
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. Qualifying items must be non-perishable, shelf-stable, and have not yet past their expiration dates. No glass items, please.
Items most needed by the Food Bank include:
- Canned fruits packed in 100% juice
- Low sodium/ no salt added canned vegetables
- Low sodium/ no salt added canned beans and soup
- Canned tuna or chicken packed in water
- Whole-grain cereal, oats, and pasta
- Peanut butter
- Paper products
- Household items
- Hygiene items
- Items for infants and children
- Items for seniors
