United Way of Bucks Co. Packs Millionth Meal to Fight Hunger

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —One million meals.

That is a figure that rivals McDonald's. But the United Way of Bucks County can also boast about the figure too when it comes to meals served.

The Fairless Hills-based agency recently celebrated packing its millionth meal for Bucks County families in need at its Bucks Knocks Out Hunger event at the Neshaminy Mall.

The annual initiative —also known as BKO Hunger —is a fundraiser, county-wide food drive, and one-day meal-packing event.

This year, the non-profit organization brought about 600 volunteers of all ages together at Neshaminy Mall to pack more than 100,000 shelf-stable meals for food pantries countywide.

During the June 16 event, a table of volunteers from Penn Community Bank, the presenting sponsor, found a golden ticket representing the millionth meal packed in the initiative’s 11-year history.

While the meal-packing event is over, the United Way is still seeking monetary donations to fight hunger.

The nonprofit notes that despite making great strides in combatting food insecurity, it is now facing a new challenge.

Newly released data from the United Way of Pennsylvania says that the percentage of local
households that are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) is up 12.5 percent.

“When the budgets of ALICE families are stretched thin, healthy food is one of the first things families cut out in order to make ends meet,” says Tim Philpot, coordinator of BKO Hunger for the United Way. “Sadly, it’s cheaper to feed your family less healthy foods that are filling, rather than the kinds of foods that really meet their nutritional needs.”

Funds raised for BKO Hunger provide nutritious options like fresh produce, eggs, and dairy to local pantries, senior centers, and Fresh Connect.

Donations can be made at www.uwbucks.org/bkohunger or by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA 19030, with BKO Hunger in the memo line.

Bucks Knocks Out Hunger 2023 was presented by Penn Community Bank and is sponsored by Parx Casino, QNB Bank, St Philips Episcopal Church, Veolia, Bucks County Community College, Comcast, Key Bank, NJM Insurance Group, PECO, St. Luke’s, Wawa, and Wegmans.

About United Way of Bucks County

Since 1952, United Way of Bucks County has been improving lives by uniting donors, advocates, and volunteers around the common good. United Way programs focus on the building blocks for a good life: a quality education, a stable income, and good health.

For more information, call 215.949.1660 or visit www.uwbucks.org.