As food insecurity continues to impact local families, United Way of Bucks County is expanding Bucks Knocks Out Hunger, one of the county’s largest hunger-fighting initiatives.
According to Feeding America, 61% of Bucks County residents facing food insecurity are above SNAP income limits, meaning they earn too much to qualify for assistance despite still struggling to afford basic needs.
Bucks Knocks Out Hunger brings together hundreds of volunteers to pack healthy, shelf-stable meals that are distributed to food pantries county-wide, including United Way’s HELP Center.
Last year, more than 300 community members packed over 101,000 meals at Oxford Valley Mall. This year, in addition to returning to the Lower Bucks location, United Way is expanding into Upper Bucks following a successful pilot event at St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus last year.
“BKO Hunger is a testament to the power of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Marissa Christie, President & CEO at United Way of Bucks County. “We’re incredibly grateful for the generous supporters who help families access healthy, nutritious food — not just during this event, but year-round. 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 added.
United Way’s work to strengthen community health extends beyond Bucks Knocks Out Hunger.
Its HELP Center serves approximately 10,000 unique consumers each year. Along with food assistance, guests can access brand-new clothing, hygiene items, and licensed social work-led resource navigation — all free of charge through a choice-based shopping experience.
The nonprofit also operates Yes, Chef! Jr., a hands-on nutrition education program that introduces hundreds of Pre-K students each year to fresh, locally grown Pennsylvania produce. In addition, it helps bring Fresh Connect to communities across Bucks County, increasing access to fresh produce through a free mobile farmers market.
As United Way prepares to open its new headquarters and HELP Center in Levittown this summer, Christie says community support is more important than ever. The new site will bring programs, services, and partners together under one roof — making help more accessible, coordinated, and efficient for families across Bucks County.
“While BKO Hunger is a powerful volunteer effort, donations to United Way support all of our work across Bucks County,” Christie emphasized. “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.”
Donations can be made online at www.uwbucks.org/donate or by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd, Fairless Hills, PA 19030.
Community members interested in volunteering at BKO Hunger can visit www.uwbucks.org/bko-hunger.
2026 Supporters: Univest, Comcast, QNB Bank, Parx Casino, Penn Color, Syensqo, Veolia, First Bank, 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 & Warrington), Danaher Lynch Family Foundation, Forest Hills/Shalom Memorial Park, Langan, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church