BCOC Receives $400K Grant to Fight Food Insecurity in Bucks County
Bucks County Opportunity Council Inc. (BCOC) has been awarded a $400,000 Community Impact Grant by KeyBank Foundation, the charitable arm of KeyBank. This funding aims to enhance food accessibility and promote health equity within Bucks County. The grant will support the expansion of BCOC’s food distribution network, foster community collaboration to address food insecurity, introduce nutrition education programs to encourage healthier eating habits, and bolster the organization’s retail rescue operations.
Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of BCOC, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with KeyBank, stating, “KeyBank has consistently supported our mission to alleviate poverty in our community. By improving access to food and addressing health equity, this generous grant will enable us to meet the growing needs of our residents and strengthen our programs to make a greater impact in Bucks County.”
Bucks County faces pressing challenges related to food insecurity and health inequities. Many residents struggle to access nutritious food, negatively affecting their overall well-being. Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” report highlights that 6.6% of Bucks County residents—more than 42,000 individuals, including approximately 12,690 children—experience food insecurity.
Alarmingly, nearly half of these individuals may not qualify for government assistance programs like SNAP due to income limitations. As the county’s primary food agency, BCOC addresses these issues through a network of over 75 providers dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of low-income households.
Youseff Tannous, KeyBank’s Eastern Pennsylvania Market President and Market Retail Leader, shared KeyBank’s commitment to the cause, saying, “We believe everyone in our community deserves access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food. We are proud to support BCOC in their efforts to combat food insecurity and advance health equity for Bucks County residents.”
This grant aligns with KeyBank’s $40 billion community investment plan, which prioritizes economic access and equity nationwide. The plan includes initiatives in affordable housing, home and small business lending, green projects, and transformative philanthropy, with a focus on workforce development, education, and creating safe, thriving neighborhoods for underserved populations.
Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of BCOC, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with KeyBank, stating, “KeyBank has consistently supported our mission to alleviate poverty in our community. By improving access to food and addressing health equity, this generous grant will enable us to meet the growing needs of our residents and strengthen our programs to make a greater impact in Bucks County.”
Bucks County faces pressing challenges related to food insecurity and health inequities. Many residents struggle to access nutritious food, negatively affecting their overall well-being. Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” report highlights that 6.6% of Bucks County residents—more than 42,000 individuals, including approximately 12,690 children—experience food insecurity.
Alarmingly, nearly half of these individuals may not qualify for government assistance programs like SNAP due to income limitations. As the county’s primary food agency, BCOC addresses these issues through a network of over 75 providers dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of low-income households.
Youseff Tannous, KeyBank’s Eastern Pennsylvania Market President and Market Retail Leader, shared KeyBank’s commitment to the cause, saying, “We believe everyone in our community deserves access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food. We are proud to support BCOC in their efforts to combat food insecurity and advance health equity for Bucks County residents.”
This grant aligns with KeyBank’s $40 billion community investment plan, which prioritizes economic access and equity nationwide. The plan includes initiatives in affordable housing, home and small business lending, green projects, and transformative philanthropy, with a focus on workforce development, education, and creating safe, thriving neighborhoods for underserved populations.
Companies