United Way Of Bucks Co. Expands Hunger Battleground

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The United Way of Bucks County holds its annual "Knocks Out Hunger" campaign every summer to combat food insecurity. But this year, it changed plans.

While the Fairless Hills-based organization holds the event at the Oxford Valley Mall in Middletown Township, this year it decided to expand its reach.

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So it set up shop in Upper Bucks County after a successful pilot event at St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus last year.

Besides the expansion, the United Way is also making other changes, with plans to open its new headquarters and HELP Center in Levittown sometime this summer.

Marissa Christie, United Way's president and chief executive, said that the new headquarters will bring programs, services, and partners together under one roof.

"Bucks Knocks Out Hunger" brings together hundreds of volunteers to pack healthy, shelf-stable meals that are distributed to food pantries county-wide, including United Way’s HELP Center.

Last year, over 300 community members packed over 101,000 meals at Oxford Valley Mall.

Christina Burner, the United Way's marketing and development manager, filled Patch in on Tuesday about this year's results:

• There were 500+ volunteers across both events (about 450 in Lower Bucks and 85 in Upper Bucks)
• Volunteers packed more than 133,000 meals (102,408 in Lower Bucks and 31,000 in Upper Bucks)
• The meals are nutritionally enhanced and shelf-stable macaroni and cheese, apple cinnamon oatmeal, and vegetable & rice soup
• They’re being distributed to food pantries county-wide, including United Way of Bucks County’s HELP Center, which is in the process of moving to a permanent location at 2901 Edgely Road in Levittown.

The HELP Center serves about 10,000 people each year, providing food assistance, brand-new clothing, hygiene items, and licensed social work-led resource navigation — all free of charge through a choice-based shopping experience.

The nonprofit also operates Yes, Chef! Jr., a hands-on nutrition education program that introduces hundreds of Pre-K students each year to fresh, locally grown Pennsylvania produce.

The organization, which began operation in 1952, also helps bring Fresh Connect to communities across Bucks County, increasing access to fresh produce through a free mobile farmers market.

According to Feeding America, 61 percent of Bucks County residents facing food insecurity are above SNAP income limits, meaning they earn too much to qualify for assistance despite still struggling to afford basic needs.

“As we prepare to open this new chapter for our organization and our community, unrestricted support helps ensure we can continue meeting urgent needs while growing our impact for the future," Christie said.

Donations can be made online at uwbucks.org/donate or by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd, Fairless Hills, PA 19030. Community members interested in volunteering at BKO Hunger can visit uwbucks.org/bko-hunger.

(United Way of Bucks County)