During this Thanksgiving, families and households in Bucks County come together around their tables, yet many in the area face a daily battle to obtain a meal. Over the past five years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In 2019, the monthly average was 37,420 Bucks Countians, but by 2023, it had risen to 44,938 residents. As of September 2024, the average number of SNAP recipients is 48,086 people.

Local Programs and the Food Insecurity Crisis

Local programs and agencies play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity. Elizabeth Zbinden, the food programs manager for the nonprofit Bucks County Opportunity Council, emphasizes that food insecurity is as much of a problem now as during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The council, as the county's designated community action agency, works through various program areas, including networking with over 75 food pantries and distribution sites.Cindy Field, the executive director of the New Britain Food Pantry, notes that participation has increased significantly since 2020. The pantry had to change its distribution methods from allowing people to pick their own items to a menu system. They now serve almost triple or quadruple the number of people they did before, with over 750 individuals per month. Due to rising grocery costs, especially for staples like milk and ground beef, it has become more challenging for residents in the Central Bucks and New Hope-Solebury school districts to afford food.Food pantries in Bucks serve specific areas, but Field ensures that no hungry person is turned away. She also points out a "demographic shift" bringing more working families to food pantries. Zbinden adds that there is less aid compared to the earlier years of the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic, there was a lot of COVID relief funding available, but many of those sources have been cut off.

The SNAP Data Trend

Looking at SNAP data available through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, while the average number of SNAP recipients has increased since 2019, the amount of money spent on those benefits has been declining. Five years ago, Bucks County SNAP recipients received approximately $4.5 million per month on average. In 2021, the monthly average was $10.3 million for 39,122 people, and in 2022, it was $10.4 million for 40,664 people. Last year, the monthly average of 44,939 SNAP recipients shared just $8.6 million in monthly benefits. So far in 2024, there has been more than $8 million in benefits to 48,086 residents per month. Although the average amount of SNAP dollars per month is almost twice as much as in 2019, the direct impact on recipients is not as high. Five years ago, eligible people received an average of about $4.05 per person per day, compared to $5.60 per day per person between January and September 2024.

Ways to Help and Get Help

Thanksgiving often highlights hunger, and the services provided by Zbinden and Field are in high demand. However, there is still a stigma around accepting help. Zbinden shares calls from people who are hesitant to use local food pantries due to the fear of being seen.The Bucks County Opportunity Council distributed over 3.3 million pounds of food in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with 88,931 food pantry visits and 9,858 households impacted. Their website, www.bcoc.org, provides information on how to donate and access resources for food, housing, and other programs. The county's website also includes contact information and hours for over 40 food pantries across Bucks County, including the New Britain Food Pantry.The New Britain Food Pantry regularly updates its Facebook page with information on programs, items needed, and a QR code for direct monetary donations. Information on how to apply for SNAP can be found on the human services webpage at www.pa.gov.