Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A new fund has been set up by the United Way of Bucks County to assist local families and seniors with one-time and basic unmet needs like rent and mortgage assistance, help with utilities and transportation to work.
The United Way of Bucks County’s Emergency Needs Fund was created recently by the nonprofit.
The new fund has seen a boost, thanks to Waste Management and the matching gift program “Double Your Dollars.” Waste Management recently presented a check to the group for $50,000, which provided a $1 for $1 match of any gifts of $100 or more that are made in support of the United Way of Bucks County’s Emergency Needs Fund through December 31.
“There are a number of phenomenal groups providing emergency support for families in Bucks County, but the need is greater than most of our partners can meet,” said Marissa Christie, the Chief Development Officer for the United Way of Bucks County. “We started this fund so that a number of nonprofit partners can access support on behalf of their clients and people in need.”
The fund has already raised $18,000 from the community, but must raise an additional $32,000 by December 1 in order to meet increasing need throughout the community and get the full benefit of the match from Waste Management.
“We see a lot of local, working families falling into this gap. They have enough to make ends meet until something unexpected happens. Things like medical emergencies or car repairs can cause a financial crisis. These are families that will only need help once and we want to meet that need before it causes things to unravel,” said Jamie Haddon, the CEO of United Way of Bucks County, who noted that the need for a fund that helps low-income families is growing.
United Way of Bucks County hopes that with donations from the public and the matching grant from Waste Management, that the Emergency Needs Fun will have a significant impact on families who need it most.
How you can help:
Donations can be made by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA 19030 (please put “emergency needs fund” on the memo line) or online at www.uwbucks.org/donate (donors will need to select “DOUBLE YOUR DOLLARS: Emergency Needs Fund”).
