Who's Hungry? More People Than You'd Expect
Published: Monday, December 08, 2014, Montgomery News
In Bucks County, you might be astonished to learn 61,570 of your friends and neighbors (that’s about 1 in 10) are considered “food insecure.” In other words, they wake up hungry, go to school or work hungry and go to bed hungry. The next opportunity to eat? Uncertain. What is known is this: the figure is roughly eight times the population of Doylestown; eight times that of Quakertown and four times that of Southampton. It represents 9.8 percent of total county population.
That’s a dark portrait — one that seems even more distressing during the holiday season aplenty.
“There is a terrific need in Bucks County for people who are hungry,” said Eileen Albillar, volunteer and community connections manager, Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC). “More and more people are coming in, but there’s just not enough resources.”
Read the full article here.
Radio Interview: 'Comment Please' By Univest Highlights Holiday Giving
Thanks to WNPV AM 1440 for welcoming us to their show "Comment Please by Univest," to talk about our mission and partnership with Univest Corporation on December 1, 2014. Listen to the recording here.
Give A Christmas 2014: Sellersville woman and her disabled son struggle
By Freda R. Savana Staff Writer | The Intelligencer
A good Christmas for Nicole Simoes and her son, Christopher, means being able to pay the electric bill. The 45-year-old Sellersville woman works as often as possible as a substitute aid for a local school district, but last year was especially difficult, as her 15-year-old disabled son was hospitalized for nearly six weeks.
With help from the Bucks County Opportunity Council and a generous individual donor, Simoes paid her utility bill and rent. Wal-Mart gift cards also helped buy a few gifts. “It was just a big help,” said Simoes, whose son has Lowe syndrome. The disorder affects the brain, eyes and kidneys and can include developmental delays, seizures and weak muscle tone that contributes to feeding and breathing problems. Christopher is nonverbal.
While Simoes said it wasn’t easy asking for assistance, she realized “sometimes you have to swallow your pride and take the help.” During the weeks Christopher spent at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Simoes was unable to work as she spent all her time with her son. “I was living in the room with him,” she said.
Falling behind in her bills, exhausted from single-handedly caring for her child, Simoes continues to persevere. She’s taking online classes to get her bachelor’s degree in education — she already earned her associate’s degree — and she remains optimistic. “It’s one day at a time,” she said. “It’s all you can do.”
Make a donation to Give A Christmas this holiday season!
