Bucks Nonprofit Awarded Grant To Assist Seniors Facing Hardships

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Opportunity Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty, has been awarded funds from the Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation to assist senior citizens over the age of 70 who are facing economic hardship related to housing, utilities, transportation, food insecurity, medical costs, and other basic needs.

Gene Epstein, a generous local philanthropist, recently auctioned off his prized 1970 Mercedes Roadster and is sharing the proceeds from the sale through the Gene and Marlene Foundation to support some of the organizations that he has been involved with for decades.

“This initiative, helping the elderly, is something special that we are proud to sponsor, especially since it brings together three organizations for one program. Bucks County Opportunity Council, The Christmas Gala and Family Service Association of Bucks County have been working jointly so that we all can do our best to help those in the greatest need,” Gene said.

Epstein said that he was greatly moved by letters he received after the foundation gave away $100 bills to Fresh Connect food giveaway recipients during the holiday season.

“I was shocked at so many responses from people writing that with that extra $100 that they were able to get two weeks of heating fuel. Two weeks? Others said that they are going to be able to have their car repaired or put some more food on their table," said Epstein.

The pilot program will assist 20 households, who have been previously selected from ongoing programs of BCOC, FSA, and the Christmas Gala. Following the pilot period, the organizations will evaluate outcomes and seek additional funding to assist additional senior citizen households who meet eligibility criteria.

Participants will be eligible for up to $3,000 in financial assistance over a maximum of six months. Financial assistance can include gift cards for food and gas, payment to a landlord for rent or move in, assistance with transportation through LYFT or SEPTA, or other basic needs that may occur. The funds will enable these seniors to access vital financial assistance and support to prevent future crises, maintain stable housing and return to self-sufficiency.

Gene urges us all to get involved. “Just help! Please join me in making someone’s life better.”

BCOC is the lead anti-poverty, non-profit organization in Bucks County dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive. It offers five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program.

• Housing includes street outreach, rental and move-in assistance and utility shut-off prevention.
• Food services distributes food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites.
• Weatherization services assist families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance.
• The ES program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.

For more than 59 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.