Four hundred local households received free box fans Friday after a packed resource day and farmers market.
The fan distribution at the Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Fresh Connect event was funded by a $10,000 donation from energy company Vistra, its retail brand Dynegy, and the newly acquired Fairless Power Plant in nearby Falls Township.
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The contribution is part of Vistra’s annual “Beat the Heat” campaign, an program aimed at keeping communities safe and cool during the summer months.
“Partnerships like this allow us to meet people where they are and respond to real, immediate needs in our community,” said Erin Lukoss, chief executive officer of the Bucks County Opportunity Council. “For many families, staying cool during the summer is not a given, and this grant from Vistra helps provide relief, comfort and dignity to neighbors who are already facing difficult choices.”
The giveaway marks the second collaboration between the energy provider and the nonprofit, which serves as the lead anti-poverty program in Bucks County.
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In 2025, Vistra donated $5,000 to support the council’s broader mission of providing housing, food, tax, and energy bill assistance to low-income residents.
Colin Fitzsimmons, Vistra’s director of government affairs, said the donation is part of the company’s broader effort to support the areas where its employees live and operate.
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“At Vistra, giving back means showing up for the communities where we live and work, whether that’s through our Dynegy retail brand or power plants, like Fairless, which generate critical electricity while supporting jobs,” Fitzsimmons said. “This donation reflects our commitment to supporting neighbors in need and making a meaningful difference beyond the energy we provide.”
The distribution took place during Fresh Connect, a weekly free farmers market that provides fresh, healthy food to Bucks County residents experiencing hunger.
The event is held every Friday at the Bristol Township Municipal Park and requires participants to pre-register.
