We have some exciting news to share: we are relaunching our Apartment Partners program! By becoming an Apartment Partner, you help us help community members most in need through our Supportive Housing Program (SHP). People joining our SHP are generally facing the greatest risk of homelessness. BCHG’s Supportive Housing Program is the only program in the county that provides a fully furnished and stocked apartment for families to stay in at no cost for up to one year. We operate 23 units throughout the county that serve an average of 42 families per year. Most families come to us from the emergency shelter, with only their personal belongings. When a family moves into one of our units, we want to provide them with all the items they will need for daily living. Our SHP apartments are currently experiencing a high amount of turnover, and we are thrilled that so many people are moving into more permanent housing; however, with that turnover comes the need to “turn over” the apartments themselves and prepare them for new families to move into…and that’s where you come in. Our Apartment Partners program offers two levels of support: Unit Support and Family Support. You can be part of one or both. Unit Support helps us keep the apartments stocked for the next family that moves in. Providing Unit Support includes purchasing/replacing furniture, towels and linens, kitchen utensils, Amazon Wishlist items, “starter packs” of cleaning supplies, and more. Large items, such as furniture and appliances, are used from family to family and are only replaced when they are no longer functional. The average investment of being a Unit Support Partner is between $300-$1000 a year, though your contributions can of course be higher or lower. Family Support directly helps the families who stay in our SHP units. During a family’s time with BCHG, our case managers work to help families return to a place of “normal” as their housing crisis resolves. Most of our families have been living in “survival mode” prior to coming to us, and we want to help them begin to thrive again. This looks different for each family, but there are some things that are universal; birthdays, holidays, school milestones. Providing Family Support includes helping to pay for those sports and extracurricular fees, holiday gifts, birthday boxes, car repairs, and more. The average annual investment of being a Family Support Partner is between $100-$1000, but again contributions are flexible. To learn more about our new and improved program, click the link below, and if you or your group are interested in becoming an Apartment Partner, please email Amanda at amcgill@bchg.org. Apartment Partners Program Info Written by: Hannah Borish
How You Can Help Fight Hunger in Bucks County Summer is here, and while it brings excitement for many, it also poses challenges for our food pantries. This season can be particularly tough as our stock levels tend to run low due to difficulties in securing food donations. While the demand for food assistance intensifies during these months, the support typically garnered during holidays and through school-drive initiatives diminishes. Compounded by the increasing costs of food and reductions in emergency SNAP benefits, the rising client need for food pantry services presents a challenge. We have observed a steady and significant increase in the number of clients seeking assistance at our food pantries. In the month of May alone, over 550 unique households were served, providing vital support to 1,469 individuals a staggering 4,199 times. This figure has only grown in the month of June and is expected to rise as we enter July. SNAP benefits, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal assistance program in the United States. It provides eligible individuals and families with funds to purchase nutritious food. The program aims to alleviate food insecurity and improve access to healthy meals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania provided temporary additional SNAP payments to recipients. These additional funds, typically averaging $95 or more, were crucial in supporting households facing food insecurity and mitigating the pandemic’s impact on vulnerable populations. However, in February, these extra benefits ended, resulting in decreased food assistance for many. Furthering the struggle, food prices continue to rise due to factors including international inflation, labor costs, supply chain issues, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a projected increase of 4.1% in food production costs for the year 2023. These food prices not only impact consumers, but also our food program’s ability to purchase food. Bucks County Housing Group has witnessed a rise in clients struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity. The issue of homelessness almost always intersects with food insecurity, amplifying the urgency to provide consistent and reliable access to nourishing food. The combination of these factors has created a significant gap that BCHG strives to bridge. We work hard to ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have access to essential sustenance. Our comprehensive approach to food security services ensures the issue of food access is addressed at every stage. These challenges may seem overwhelming, but this is where your support really makes a difference! By increasing awareness of the ongoing need for food donations during the summer months, individuals, local businesses, and community organizations play a crucial role in ensuring that no one goes hungry. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in the lives of those struggling with food insecurity and homelessness. There are many ways to help: Food Donations: Please consider donating either perishable or non-perishable food items. These contributions directly support our clients. Donations can be dropped off at our Penndel Pantry Tuesdays 10:00am – 12:00pm and our Doylestown Pantry Wednesday 1:30 – 3:30pm. To coordinate other donation times or food drives, please email amcgill@bchg.org. Financial Contributions: The best way to support our pantries currently is with monetary donations or gift cards to local grocery stores. These donations allow BCHG to purchase fresh produce, dairy products, and other perishable items, ensuring a balanced and nutritious food supply for our food pantries. Even a small contribution can go a long way in making a positive impact. Volunteer Support: Make a difference in your community by volunteering at BCHG’s food pantries or organizing food drives. Your time and skills can have a significant impact, helping to collect and distribute food to those in need. Spread the Word: Share the mission of BCHG through social media, community newsletters, local events, or just tell a friend about us! Raising awareness is key to expanding our impact and reaching more individuals and families in need. We are facing a decline in food donations and an increase in demand at our food pantries. This presents a pressing challenge, but one we are ready to face. We are dedicated to providing food assistance to all community members who turn to our pantries. To reach that goal, we need your help. Please consider supporting us and our mission to close the door on hunger in Bucks County! Share our mission by following along! Instagram: @buckscountyhousinggroup Facebook: Bucks County Housing Group Twitter: @housing4all LinkedIn: Bucks County Housing Group Written By: Dominic DiFrancesco