How It Will Impact Pennsylvanians, And What You Can Do About It Introduction: If Congress fails to act by January 19, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) will face a budget shortfall that could result in 2 million eligible families nationwide being turned away from the program. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) As an organization dedicated to providing essential services to vulnerable communities, BCHG is deeply concerned about the potential ramifications of the budget shortfall on the individuals and families utilizing our food program. The WIC Program and The Budget Shortfall: WIC is a crucial federal assistance program that provides nutrition education, healthy food, and support to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. (USDA) Currently, the WIC program serves about half of all infants born in the United States. Unfortunately, the budget that Congress is currently considering will fund the program at a $1 billion shortfall. The shortfall will cost the same amount as funding six months of benefits to all pregnant women and infants participating in WIC. (USDA) Individual states will likely create waitlists to join the program as a result of the shortfall, and several eligible families will be turned away from receiving the assistance they need. What this Means for Pennsylvania: The WIC budget shortfall is projected to impact 51,000 Pennsylvanians by September 2024. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) To avoid such a stark impact, the USDA may choose to reallocate funding from their other programs toward WIC, but there is no guarantee that this will be feasible. There will likely also be a long-lasting impact on the perception of the WIC program. Turning eligible participants away due to inadequate funding will likely discourage people from applying in the future. Impact on Our Food Pantries: Our pantries and mobile markets are vital resources for those in need, offering a safe and reliable source of food in times of economic hardship. The potential increase in demand due to the WIC budget shortfall will place additional strain on these essential services. We anticipate welcoming new families to our pantries and mobile markets as a result of the shortfall. Demand for produce, milk, eggs, baby formula, and diapers will also likely increase. Finally, we anticipate an increase in the need for families who are already utilizing our programs. The level of support WIC will provide to those already on their programs is uncertain, so their need for food from our programs may increase. How You Can Help: Contact Your Representatives:Use the form here to contact your elected representatives. Be an advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Spread the Word:Share this blog, our website, and our social media with your network to help spread awareness about the WIC budget shortfall. as well as the resources that BCHG provides to combat food and housing security. Donate to BCHG:Monetary support and food donations make a significant difference in our ability to meet increased demand at our food pantries. Support our mission by donating to our cause to help us prepare for the influx of patrons at our pantries. Volunteer Your Time:Offer your time and skills to assist at BCHG’s food pantries or other programs. Volunteering is a hands-on way to contribute to the community and support vulnerable individuals and families. Organize Food Drives:Coordinate food drives with local businesses, schools, and community groups. Collecting non-perishable items can help ensure that our food pantries remain well-stocked to meet the growing demand. Conclusion: The WIC budget shortfall is a challenge that will require collective action and community support. By raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and contributing to organizations like ours, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity. Together, let’s ensure that every individual has access to the nutrition and support they need for a healthy future. Written By: Amanda McGill
While the holiday season fills many hearts with joy and warmth, it’s important to recognize that for some, it can bring about unexpected hardships and challenges. To ensure that the spirit of giving extends to those in need, we invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference through a holiday-themed drive. Together, let’s spread comfort, support, and joy to those who may find this season particularly challenging. For your drive, you can ask for donations of food, clothing, and/or supplies. Below are some examples of what our clients currently need! Food donations: shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives canned goods (soup, vegetables, fruits, tuna) pasta, rice, and grains canned or dried beans holiday-themed cookies and treats cake or brownie mixes hot cocoa or hot chocolate packets coffee or tea bags canned cranberry sauce stuffing mix instant mashed potatoes Clothing donations: winter coats hats, mittens, and scarves sweaters sweatpants warm socks Supply donations: cleaning supplies like sanitizing wipes, spray cleaners, etc. laundry supplies like dryer sheets or laundry detergent holiday supplies like wrapping paper, tape, and gift bags household supplies like dish detergent, hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper etc. baby supplies like diapers or baby wipes You can also ask for gift cards! An easy way to help those in need, gift cards to places like Target, Walmart, Uber, or gas stations are incredibly appreciated, especially during the holiday season. Below are some other ideas on how to keep your drive in line with the holiday spirit: Use decorated boxes or containers at the drop-off site! Or give each box a theme, like Santa’s Pantry” for food items, “Warm Hearts” for clothing, and “Gifts of Necessity” for supplies. Host a fun event alongside the drive such as a hot cocoa and cookie social! Transform the donation site into a winter wonderland by decorating it with holiday lights, ornaments, and festive decorations! At BCHG, we are so grateful for community support, especially during these cold months. Your donations directly impact the lives of community members in need. To schedule a donation drop-off, reach out to amcgill@bchg.org. If you have any questions or need more inspiration, head to our Hold a Drive page! PS, be sure to tag us in any content you share on social media! Let’s make this holiday season brighter for everyone. Instagram X Facebook Written By: Hannah Borish
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 19047Tuesdays from 10am-12pm Doylestown: 470 Old Dublin Pike Doylestown, PA 18901Wednesdays 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