Health - Bristol Borough

Gene & Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Foundation Bring The Holiday Season Early with the Bristol Area Police Departments to Give Out $100 to the Community

Published

4 months ago

November 17, 2025

Community members waiting online to pick up fresh produce as part of the Fresh Connect initiative were greeted Bristol area law enforcement who distributed holiday shaded envelopes containing $100 as a early holiday gift from The Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund.

The fund with a major asist from the Bristol Borough and Bristol Township Police officers distributing the surprise $100 gifts to community members waiting on line expecting to find a wide selection of locally grown produce; Not $100 bucks as early holiday gifts

The reactions ranged from “why are all the press and police here?” to one older woman facing some of life’s challenges breaking down and crying while hugging Officer Ashley Beck.

The moments shared with officers “who serve and protect” among the 400 or so community members ranged from relief to a sense whatever was to come in the days ahead wouldn’t seem overwhelming anymore, but now manageable.

One woman who picked up her produce and walked yards away could be heard joyously saying she she could now buy new shoes for her grandaughter, passing on the kindness given to her and redirecting it to a young person.

The Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund is a private foundation that supports various causes, most notably ending homelessness in Philadelphia and providing scholarships for students in Lower Bucks County, according to publicly available records.

The Foundation usually distributes cash to those attending Fresh Connect events in December.

Epstein, now 82, dealing with health issues of his own, said the just ended government shutdown was the impetus for early gift giving.

Police Chiefs Joe Moors and C.J. Winik who prefer to remain in the background for these kinds of community embracing events called the gift giving an absolutely beautiful thing that shows kindness still does indeed live on in Lower Bucks County.

The police chiefs said, there are going to be more joint events the departments will be holding and are currently in the planning stages.

One observer at the early holiday gift giving event noted the cross section of ethnic groups present at the event from all walks of life connecting with each other while waiting in line.

It was a day for connections; kind supportive connections where the community came out for fresh produce and received a genuine act of kindness.

Credit: Tom Sofield LevittownNow.com

Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.