The Bucks County Opportunity Council has added a new refrigerated truck to its fleet as it aims to expand its food program and combat food insecurity in the county.
The 2024 Mack 24-foot refrigerated box truck is capable of carrying up to 15,000 pounds of food.
The new was unveiled at an event attended by Bucks County Commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia, along with other county and Bucks County Opportunity Council staff.
The truck was acquired through a partnership with Bucks County and utilized grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“This truck came about as a partnership with the County of Bucks, utilizing grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) designated for COVID relief efforts to help alleviate food-insecurity in the county. After two years of delays, the need still exists and this new truck has arrived to help and expand and support the Retail Rescue food operations,” said Elizabeth Zbinden, the Bucks County Opportunity Council’s food program manager.
Retail Rescue involves recovering and redistributing surplus food from grocery stores and other retailers.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council currently partners with Wegmans in Lower Makefield Township and Warrington Township, Amazon Fresh in Bensalem Township, Acme Markets, and Target in Doylestown Borough, and Giant Food Store in Lower Southampton Township.
The truck will allow the council to serve an estimated 20 percent more families, according to Heather Foor, the council’s director of client services.
It will also support the HELP Center in Bristol Borough, a food distribution site where individuals and families can “shop” for food items.
“This truck is a game-changer for helping grow and enrich our pantry network distribution efforts,” said Rick Mayer, the organization’s retail rescue coordinator.
The truck will facilitate more efficient transfer of food resources between the HELP Center and the 75 emergency food providers the Bucks County Opportunity Council supports.
In addition to the county’s grant, St. Mary Medical Center provided funding to wrap the truck and purchase a pallet jack.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council is the lead anti-poverty nonprofit in the county and focuses on ending poverty through programs in housing, food, weatherization, volunteer income tax assistance, and economic self-sufficiency.
The organization has facilities in Bristol Township, Doylestown, Quakertown, and Warminster Township.
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