Volunteer Opportunities and More: Get Involved with BCHG

Introduction 

Have you been wondering “What are volunteer opportunities near me?” or “How can I get involved in my community?” Look no further! Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) is working steadfastly to close the door on hunger and homelessness. Our mission depends on the invaluable contributions and support from individuals like you, who want to make a difference in their community. In this blog, we will shed light on how you can get involved with BCHG and play a pivotal role in turning our shared vision into reality. 

Understanding BCHG 

Before embarking on your journey of involvement, we encourage you to delve into the heart of Bucks County Housing Group. Explore our website, familiarize yourself with the needs in our area, peruse our social media, and acquaint yourself with our diverse range of services. This foundational knowledge will empower you to engage effectively and align with our vision. 

Volunteer Opportunities 

BCHG operates on the dedication and passion of volunteers who are the backbone of our organization. Volunteering offers an opportunity to directly contribute to our mission. Here are some of the volunteer opportunities you can explore: 

a. Food Pantries: Lend your time and compassion to our food pantries, where you can provide crucial support to individuals and families facing food insecurity. 

b. Community Gardens: Make a tangible impact by volunteering at one of our community garden locations, helping individuals access and grow fresh produce. 

c. Administrative Assistance: Offer your skills in areas like data entry or office management to help facilitate the smooth operation of BCHG. 

d. Other Opportunities: We are always looking for ways that community members can contribute their skillsets to our mission. If you have an idea for a volunteer partnership, let us know! 

Financial Contributions 

If your schedule doesn’t permit regular volunteering, we invite you to consider making a financial contribution. Your donation significantly supports BCHG’s programs and services. We offer various giving options, including one-time donations, monthly contributions, and support for specific fundraising campaigns. 

Advocacy

Amplify your voice in support of food security and housing issues in Bucks County. Advocate for initiatives that address the root causes of homelessness and endorse affordable housing solutions. Attend community meetings and become a voice for change in Bucks County. 

Organize a Fundraiser or Drive 

Harness your community spirit by organizing a fundraiser or donation drive within your network. Events like food drives, cleaning supply drives, and group fundraising can raise both awareness and resources for BCHG, making a considerable difference. Questions about holding a drive? Email amcgill@bchg.org.

Spread the Word 

Help BCHG’s mission reach new heights by promoting it on social media, within your local community, and among friends and family. Sharing our success stories, events, and volunteer opportunities can draw more support and volunteers to our cause. 

Conclusion 

Bucks County Housing Group stands as a beacon of hope in addressing hunger and homelessness in Bucks County. Your involvement through volunteering, donations, advocacy, or event organization is invaluable to our mission. Every action, no matter how small, creates a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of those in need. Join us today and be a part of the solution with BCHG, for together, we create a stronger and more compassionate community. 

Written by: Amanda McGill

BCHG operates the largest and only professionally-run food pantry system in Bucks County. We have two brick-and-mortar pantries, one in Doylestown and one in Penndel, along with two mobile market vans that distribute food to places further from our permanent pantries. We rely heavily on donations to keep our pantries stocked and our communities fed.

If you’d like to help out, donations to our pantries can be made at the following locations and times:

Penndel: 349 Durham Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
Tuesdays from 10am-12pm

Doylestown: 470 Old Dublin Pike Doylestown, PA 18901
Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30

If you’re interested in making a larger contribution by holding a food drive, below is all the information you’ll need to get started!

What You Need:

  • Containers/boxes for donated items
  • A designated drop-off location with start and end dates and times
  • Publicity (via social media, flyers, etc.)

What to Ask for:

At BCHG, we prioritize healthy food options in our pantries by following the Healthy Pantry Initiative set up by Philabundance. Click here to learn more: https://www.philabundance.org/healthy-pantry-initiative/

With this in mind, please ask for healthy and fresh food donations such as the items below.

Proteins such as:

  • peanut butter
  • canned chicken, tuna, or salmon
  • canned or dried beans
  • lentils and peas

Fruits and vegetables that do not require refrigeration such as:

  • canned fruit or 100% fruit juice
  • tomatoes
  • carrots
  • bananas
  • oranges

Dairy such as:

  • shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives like oat, almond, or soy milk
  • dried powder milk

Grains such as:

  • rice
  • quinoa
  • pasta
  • oatmeal
  • breakfast
  • cereal

Other Items such as:

  • olive or canola oil
  • broths, lemon juice, or vinegar
  • nuts
  • crackers
  • condiments like ketchup and mayo

Where to Hold the Drive:

Any organization that will allow it! For example:

  • schools
  • businesses/office parks
  • neighborhoods
  • churches, etc.

Where to Bring the Donations:

Please drop off the donations at one of our pantries listed above. To schedule drop-offs outside of the designated hours, please call 215-750-4344 x 101.

As we continue our journey to alleviate hunger and uplift those in need, we are very grateful for community support. Every contribution to our food programs counts; if you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can easily scan the QR codes below.

Donate on PayPal:

Donate on our website:

If you would like to view this info as a printable flyer, please click here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFpMIIMvjU/cMMIeeBLt6Ysodb1sVOPGQ/view?utm_content=DAFpMIIMvjU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

If you have any questions about organizing a drive or how to donate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to amcgill@bchg.org. Together, we can create a brighter, more nourished future for all.

Written By: Hannah Borish