Federal, state impasses create ‘perfect storm’ for Bucks County food crisis

A combination of a federal government shutdown, prior federal aid cuts, and Pennsylvania’s lack of an approved 2025-2026 budget has created what one nonprofit leader called “the perfect storm” for food insecurity in Bucks County.

The uncertainty around Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding has pushed local food aid networks past their breaking point, even as county officials and charitable organizations rush to inject emergency funding. The funding was freed up late last week by judges’ decisions, but a court fight continues over it. 

“The need is clearly outpacing available resources,” said Erin Lukoss, CEO of the Bucks County Opportunity Council. 

Lukoss noted that demand at local pantries increased by 44 percent in just the last days of October and early November.

The crisis impacts approximately 46,000 Bucks County residents, including seniors on fixed incomes, working parents and neighbors struggling to keep up with rising costs for food, housing and utilities.

Last week, the Bucks County Commissioners unanimously approved a package of emergency food assistance. 

The three-member board — two Democrats and one Republican — allocated $50,000 to the Bucks County Opportunity Council and an additional $100,000 to the newly established Bucks County Foundation IMPACT Fund for Basic Human Needs.

In September, the commissioners approved $100,000 for food aid. 

Commissioner Chairperson Bob Harvie, a Democrat, said the county has been warning and preparing for this situation for months. He thanked those working to tackle the problem made worse by state and federal instability.

Republican Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo stressed the importance of the aid, noting that SNAP recipients are primarily “seniors, children, people with disabilities, and a lot of times with the children, there are single moms who are taking care of their children and not able to work or not able to work as much as they’d like to.”

The state budget impasse has required the county to front approximately $5 million in reserve funds each month just to keep social services operating.

Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a Democrat, warned late last month that the county is using its reserve funds to cover money not being provided by the state and federal governments.

The surge in families seeking help in Bucks County includes many first-time visitors. 

Lukoss reported that the Opportunity Council’s free mobile farmers market, FreshConnect, received applications from more than 200 new households in a single weekend.

Lukoss noted the difficulty faced by staff and volunteers try to help those in need and the partner food pantries.

“Overall, pantries are doing their best to stretch what they have, but the need is clearly outpacing available resources right now,” she said. “By the numbers, we are seeing a 44 percent increase at the pantries in just the last 10 days.”

The increased volume has forced several pantry sites to remain open past usual operating hours. Many report being critically low on core items, including protein, produce and shelf-stable staples. Compounding the issue are volunteer shortages, making it harder for pantries to maintain consistent operations, Lukoss said. 

The Bucks County Foundation established its IMPACT Fund for Basic Human Needs to stabilize food access.

“We are in a period of disruption and uncertainty, one that’s impacting our neighbors, our communities and our nonprofit partners,” said Mandy Mundy, executive director for the Bucks County Foundation. “There’s no doubt we are facing a growing food crisis.”

The foundation is working with partners, including the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, and Doylestown Area FISH, to rapidly distribute emergency funds.

Responding to the immediate needs, the Bucks County Human Services Hub provided food gift cards to more than 300 people recently, thanks to a donation from Doylestown FISH. 

More than 100 individuals have walked into The Hub seeking assistance, said Bucks County Division of Human Services Director Rachael Neff.

Mundy said the hunger problem is being tackled through a collaboration and information sharing between the charitable community, government and businesses.

“Every bag of food, every dollar donated and every volunteer hour makes a difference right now,” Lukoss said. “Together with county leadership, community support, and our dedicated partners, we can ensure that no one in Bucks county goes hungry.”

For more information on how to assist or donate, the county has set up a page with resources. 

A list of food banks in Bucks County:

Bensalem Presbyterian Church
2826 Bristol Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-757-7800
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This food pantry only services zipcodes 19020, 19021, 19047 and 19053

Bible Evangelical Methodist Church
1601 Lakeland Ave
Bristol, PA 19007
215-498-1179
Wednesday: 6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 12 – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Bristol Borough Community Action Group, Inc.
99 Wood Street
Bristol, PA 19007
267-907-6368
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bucks County Housing Group
Penndel Food Pantry
349 Durham Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-750-4344, ext. 104
Monday & Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 3 – 6 p.m.

CBC Bread of Life Food Pantry
225 Radcliffe St.
Bristol, PA 19007
267-878-0894
Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday: 12 – 1:15 p.m.

Cares Cupboard
Penndel Mental Health Center
2080 Cabot Blvd., Ste. 100
Langhorne, PA 19047
267-587-2300
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Christian Care at Calvary Baptist Church (Bristol)
250 Green Ln.
Bristol, PA 19007
A Church of Living Hope Cares Food Pantry
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

A Church of Living Hope Cares Food Pantry
1271 E. Maple Avenue
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-757-8782
Thursday: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Please call for an appointment

Emergency Relief Association of Lower Bucks County
580 Middletown Blvd.
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-547-1676
Monday: 6 – 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday & Friday: 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Faith Baptist Church
1515 Wister Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
215-946-7550
Tuesday: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 – 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Visit website to sign up for pantry appt.,
faithbaptistfoodbank.com

Family Service Association of Bucks County
4 Cornerstone Dr.
Langhorne, PA 19047
Ph: 215-208-7233
Monday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church of Bristol
201 Mulberry Street
Bristol, PA 19007
267-202-1742
Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Greater Works Food Pantry
Love Fellowship Tabernacle
5918 Hulmeville Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-741-0525
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Curbside pick-up available.

Harvest Ministries
Cornwells United Methodist Church
2284 Bristol Pike
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-639-0436
Tuesday & Friday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. appt. only
Wednesday: 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Signups are by appt. only, done via the Signup Genius app or
link on our Facebook page.

Interfaith Food Alliance Pantry for food insecure children &
their families in Morrisville.
501 Maple Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
215-378-0202
2nd & 4th Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tuesday: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., the week prior to Saturday pick ups

Lester Bahrt Pantry
First United Methodist Church
840 Trenton Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
215-946-5800
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Mary’s Cupboard
100 Levittown Parkway
Levittown, PA 19054
215-949-1991
Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Please call for an appointment.

Mitzvah Food Pantry
2909 Bristol Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-752-3468
Tuesday: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

The Food Center at Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Avenue
Morrisville, PA 19067
215-295-4191
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
First Tuesday of each month: 7 p.m.

New Creations of Life Community Pantry
5401 Beaver Dam Road,
Bristol, PA 19007
267-945-4881
Tuesday & Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Christian Food Pantry Center
2990 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-639-7000
Monday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Salvation Army of Lower Bucks
215 Appletree Drive
Levittown, PA 19055
215-945-0717 ext. 19
Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Scheduled appointments are available upon request.

Soulful Blessings
Second Baptist Church of Bristol
640 Race Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215-788-1440
Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thursday: 1 – 3 p.m.

St. Stephens Lutheran Church Food Pantry
65 East Street Road
Feasterville, PA 19053
267-261-8672
By appointment only. Please call.

YWCA of Bucks County
Country Commons Family Center Food Pantry
3338 Richlieu Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-639-5853
Monday: 12- 2:30 p.m. Please call in advance.

Bucks County Housing Group
Doylestown Food Pantry
470 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-4311, ext.101
Sunday: 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Wednesday: 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For hours not listed, please call for an appointment.

Jesus Focus Ministry
1717 Street Rd.
Southampton, PA 18966
215-208-3826
Monday through Friday 9-11:30 a.m.

Hatboro Community Cupboard
505 N. York Rd.
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-675-2031
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Thursday: 6 p.m.-7:50 p.m.

Dublin Food Pantry at Living Hope Community Church
22 H West Route 313
Perkasie, PA 18944
215-249-1133
Friday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

New Britain
Food Pantry
22 East Butler Avenue
New Britain, PA 18901
215-345-9170
Monday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m.–12p.m.

St. Phillips Episcopal Church
10 Chapel Road
New Hope, PA 18938
215-862-5782
Every Thursday 3pm – 5pm

Warminster Food Bank
495 E. County Line Rd., Town & Country Shopping Ctr., Hatboro, PA 19040
215-323-4797
Monday & Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Call for an appointment.

Warrington Fellowship Church
(Food Pantry located in Frazier Hall)
1455 Cooper Lane
Warrington, PA 18976
Thursday: 6 – 7 p.m.
215-200-0733

Willow Grove Baptist Church
3600 Welsh Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215-813-4931
Monday & Saturday: 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Thursday: 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Christ’s Cupboard Food Pantry
Providence Presbyterian Church
2200 Krammes Rd. (Milford Township)
Quakertown, PA 18951
215-536-2881
3^rd Saturday of month: 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

FEAST Pantry
218 E. Broad St.
Trumbauersville, PA 18970
215-536-3193
Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursday: 6 – 8 p.m.
3^rd Saturday of month: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fresh For All – Grace Bible Church (parking lot)
423 Main Street, Souderton, PA 18964
215-723-3992
Tuesday: 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Heaven’s Bounty
Quakertown First Church of the Brethren
455 Trumbauersville Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
215-536-1317
Tuesday & Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Keystone Opportunity Center
104 Main Street
Souderton, PA 18964
215-723-5430
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First Thursday of the month: 4 – 6 p.m.
Souderton School District Only

The Lord’s Pantry
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
4050 Durham Road (Route 412)
Ottsville, PA 18942
610-847-2402
Monday: 2 – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Pennridge FISH
800 West Chestnut Street
Perkasie, PA 18944
215-257-7616
[email protected]
Monday and Wednesday: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
To receive food, you should be a resident of the Pennridge School District.

Quakertown Food Pantry
101 B 3rd Street
P.O. Box 278
Quakertown, PA 18951
Ph: 215-536-0240
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 6 – 8 p.m.

St. Isidore’s Food Pantry – Old Parish Office
603 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Ph: 215-326-9127
Tuesday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.