United Way of Bucks County is bringing its HELP Center and headquarters together into a new permanent home on Edgely Road, creating a centralized hub that makes it easier for families to access help quickly and in one place.
United Way serves people in every municipality county-wide, with a strong focus on ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — working families who earn above the federal poverty level yet still struggle to afford basic essentials and often do not qualify for traditional safety-net programs.
The HELP Center serves as a coordinated hub where residents can get help quickly and with dignity. Guests access food assistance, brand-new clothing, and hygiene items free of charge through a choice-based shopping experience, along with licensed social work-led resource navigation.
Demand for services has increased rapidly in recent years. Since opening in 2020, the HELP Center’s scheduled visits alone have increased by more than 1,400%, with roughly 15,000 unique consumers now served each year. Guest feedback reflects the program’s impact: 99% recommend the HELP Center to a friend; 96% report saving money to direct to critical expenses such as rent and utilities; and 90% say their visit resolved a major challenge and reduced stress.
In addition to the “shopper choice” program for individuals, more than 100 nonprofits, schools, and municipal partners serve as distribution points for HELP Center products. Community partners like Bucks County Opportunity Council, St. Mary Medical Center, Career Link’s Workforce on Wheels, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and many others provide services onsite, creating a robust network of support.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) secured $4.25 million in federal funding to support the new facility.
“United Way’s HELP Center has become one of the most vital pillars of support for families in Bucks County facing hardship,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “As demand grew, it was clear that sustaining and strengthening this work required a more permanent presence for our community. Having worked alongside [CEO] Marissa Christie and her exceptional team for years, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and compassion they bring to serving our community. When they made clear what was needed, I fought to secure $4.25 million in federal funding to establish a permanent HELP Center in Levittown and ensure this lifeline could grow with the needs of our region. With this new home, the HELP Center will expand its reach, operate at greater scale, and serve families with the stability they deserve. No family should have to navigate hardship alone — and now, in Bucks County, they won’t.”
The new site lies in PA Senate District 10 and House District 141, represented by Senator Steve Santarsiero and Representative Tina Davis, both of whom recently toured the facility.
“This new space in Levittown will allow United Way to expand its reach, strengthen coordination of services, and better meet people where they are,” said Santarsiero, calling the project “an important milestone for our entire community.”
Representative Tina Davis added that the work United Way does, “from providing emergency assistance to those in need, to educating our children, to promoting financial wellness, ensures that Bucks County continues to be a great place to work, live, and grow.”
Other local leaders also emphasized the importance of establishing a permanent resource for families. “Bristol Township is proud to see continued federal investment in United Way of Bucks County’s HELP Center,” said Craig Bowen, Bristol Township Council President. “This funding strengthens an essential resource that supports local families with dignity and care.”
“Supporting the HELP Center early on was an easy decision,” said Jeane M. Vidoni, President and CEO of Penn Community Bank. “Seeing it become a permanent, expanded space is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose.”
United Way of Bucks County President and CEO Marissa Christie described the new site as a breakthrough in how the organization “can deliver help faster, coordinate services more effectively, and ensure families can access what they need in one place,” – but also notes the increased need for community support.
“The building itself is made possible through a blend of federal and private support, but inside that building, we depend entirely on community support to serve our neighbors. In the coming months, we’ll be inviting individuals, families, and businesses to become ‘early investors’ so our work can operate at the scale our community needs. This is a powerful opportunity for people across Bucks County to be part of something meaningful.”
For more information about United Way of Bucks County’s new home, including FAQs and ways to support the effort, visit uwbucks.org/breakthrough.