The United Way of Bucks County is growing one of the county’s largest hunger-relief efforts.
The organization is expanding its Bucks Knocks Out Hunger initiative, which mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to pack healthy, shelf-stable meals for county-wide food pantries, including the United Way’s HELP Center in Bristol Township.
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Data from Feeding America highlights the gap in local food access, showing that 61% of Bucks County residents experiencing food insecurity exceed the income limits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a result, these individuals earn too much to qualify for state assistance but still struggle to pay for basic necessities.
The expansion follows a major turnout last year, when more than 300 community members assembled over 101,000 meals at the Oxford Valley Mall.
While the event will return this month to that Lower Bucks location, the United Way is officially expanding into Upper Bucks this year. The decision comes after a successful pilot event held last year at St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus.
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“BKO Hunger is a testament to the power of neighbors helping neighbors,” Marissa Christie, President and CEO at United Way of Bucks County, said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the generous supporters who help families access healthy, nutritious food — not just during this event, but year-round.”
Christie noted that meeting basic needs like food has a ripple effect on the community.
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“When an immediate need like food is met, kids can focus better in school, families can focus on building financial stability, and our whole community is stronger,” she said.
The hunger initiative is part of a broader network of health programs run by the nonprofit. Its HELP Center serves roughly 10,000 unique consumers annually, providing free access to brand-new clothing, hygiene items, and resource navigation led by licensed social workers through a choice-based shopping model.
Additionally, the United Way operates Yes, Chef! Jr., a hands-on nutrition program introducing fresh, locally grown Pennsylvania produce to hundreds of Pre-K students each year. It also helps facilitate Fresh Connect, a free mobile farmers market that brings fresh produce to various Bucks County communities.
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The expansion comes ahead of a transition for the nonprofit, which plans to open a new headquarters and HELP Center in Levittown this summer. The new facility will consolidate programs, services, and partner organizations under one roof to make assistance more coordinated and accessible.
“While BKO Hunger is a powerful volunteer effort, donations to United Way support all of our work across Bucks County,” Christie said, adding that community support is vital as the organization prepares for the move. “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.”
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Supporters for the 2026 initiative include Univest, Comcast, QNB Bank, Parx Casino, Penn Color, Syensqo, Veolia, First Bank of NJ, Bucks County Community College Foundation, C&N Bank, Diamond Credit Union, Hampton Companies, Heraeus, LBK Design Build, Penn Community Bank, Foundations Community Partnership, People’s Security Bank & Trust, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Wegmans (Yardley and Warrington), Danaher Lynch Family Foundation, Forest Hills/Shalom Memorial Park, Langan, and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
Community members looking to volunteer can sign up at www.uwbucks.org/bko-hunger.
Financial contributions can be made online at www.uwbucks.org/donate or mailed to the United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd, Fairless Hills, PA 19030.
