YOUR STORY MATTERS HERE: Tina Morascyzk

By Jenny Monahan

Tina Morascyzk, her husband Joe, and their three children Elena (9), Angeline (7), and RJ (5) are approaching the one-year anniversary of their introduction to Dutilh Church.

Tina grew up in a Methodist church and had heard good things about Dutilh’s Vacation Bible School and preschool programs, so when the family was looking for a church home in Cranberry, they decided to check out Dutilh.

The Morascyzks started attending services at Dutilh Church around May of 2019 and officially became members in October 2019. “We just felt at home,” explained Tina. “Dutilh felt like family; it was a place where we could be ourselves!”

Dutilh’s welcoming spirit mattered. “Early on, we would often ‘come as we were’—straight from the kids’ ice hockey games—and that was OK,” Tina said. “We were welcomed regardless, and that was awesome. To us, that was symbolic of the Dutilh community—being loved for who you are, even if you aren’t always in your Sunday-best attire.

A Pittsburgh native, Tina attended Penn Trafford High School and Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. She has lived in Cranberry since 2004 and works as Vice President of Strategy and Development at Giant Eagle. Her husband, Joe, is an attorney at Morascyzk and Polochak. Since becoming part of the Dutilh family, the Morascyzks have become involved with the church’s food ministry—a service opportunity that’s close to their hearts.

“My husband, Joe, and I have always been passionate about helping to solve hunger,” Tina said. Over the years, they have supported Washington City Mission’s hunger relief drives and volunteered at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Tina credits her employer, Giant Eagle, with helping her become educated about food insecurity issues and providing opportunities to serve in the community at places like the food bank.

“Food is a basic need, not a privilege, yet the heartbreaking reality is that so many struggle to feed their families,” Tina explained. “Not worrying about having food is a blessing, and we are trying to teach our kids to share their blessings. My oldest, Elena, especially loved contributing to Dutilh’s last Thanksgiving food drive.”

The Morascyzks were eager to help with the food ministry this spring, so volunteered through the “Help Your Neighbor” program at Victory Family Church which Dutilh is supporting. They had a great experience, Tina said.

“I was welcomed there and was busy during my entire food-sort shift. It was very organized,” Tina explained. “I left feeling like I really contributed. The drop-off for making donations is also very easy; it’s curbside drop-off, and felt safe with no contact and social distancing observed.” Subsequently, Tina has supported “Help Your Neighbor” by shopping for and dropping off requested groceries anonymously on the porch of someone who contacted the program for help.

Dutilh Church’s mission to love God, love others, and love to serve resonates with the entire Morascyzk family. Even at their relatively young ages, Elena, Angeline, and RJ helped unload “Help Your Neighbor” food donations from the car, as their parents try to teach them in concrete ways to understand generosity and need.

“For me, passion about causes is key to service,” Tina said. Passionate about the health of mothers and babies, Tina has been active with the March of Dimes since 2010 and is currently a local market board member. She also serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh. Tina explained, “Having God in my heart encourages me to serve and show others love.”

Find out more about Help Your Neighbor or Giant Eagle. If you or someone you know in the Dutilh family has an interesting story or profession, send us your ideas! We would love to help tell the story. Email: communications@dutilhumc.org.