Bucks County philanthropists Gene and Marlene Epstein are matching every dollar up to $10,000 donated to the Bucks County Opportunity Council’s food program through the end of July.
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The food program helps Bucks County’s food pantries, the Fresh Connect program, emergency food delivery, and the senior food box program.
In 2020 and 2021, the program distributed 3.5 million pounds of food to low-income Bucks Countians.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council has reported an increase in number of visits to food pantries and Fresh Connect events across the county.
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During the month of May, Bucks County food pantries assisted 3,141 households, 12 percent of which were using a food pantry for the first time. There was a 38 percent rise in visits to food pantries in Bucks County from January 2022 to May 2022. There were 5,119 visits were made in January and there had been 7,060 by May, according to Bucks County Opportunity Council data.
The Fresh Connect program, which has regular distribution in Bristol Township, had a 13 percent increase in users last quarter.
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“When inflation hits, families often reduce their monthly food budget to pay for other higher cost needs like rent and utilities. They often turn to turn to pantries and other food supplement programs to make ends meet,” said Erin Lukoss, executive director of the Bucks County Opportunity Council. “We are so grateful to Gene and Marlene Epstein for their support, and constant efforts to help us continue to provide resources to the Bucks County community.”
The funds being raised by the Bucks County Opportunity Council and matched by the Epsteins will help fund the food program and keep Bucks Countians full.
To donate to the food program, visit BCOC.org.
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