Bucks Philanthropist Gives Away $40K To County's Neediest

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Some call him the Jewish Santa Claus. Others say he’s an angel. But he just prefers to be called “Gene.”

In the spirit of Hanukkah and Christmas, Bucks County philanthropist Gene Epstein again showed up unannounced at the weekly Fresh Connect food distribution on a cold Friday morning in Bristol Township with a financial hand-up for some of the county’s neediest people.

Epstein stood at the end of a very long line of people handing out cards containing crisp new $100 bills. His act of generosity brought him hugs, handshakes, a few tears and lots of surprised looks as he revealed to each of them the contents of the cards.

“I have such mixed emotions,” said Epstein, who gave away 40 Grand in one short hour. “I feel great that I have the ability to be able to help, but I feel horrible that we have 400 people that are in need and this is only a small segment of the people who are in need.

“It’s incumbent upon anybody and everybody that can afford to do something to help a neighbor, to do it,” Epstein continued. “This shows you that our country still needs a lot of help. And it comes with individuals helping others. It’s not the government. It’s individuals. If you have a neighbor who is hungry, give them some of your dinner. That’s all. It’s not rocket science.”

Gene accepts a handshake from a grateful recipient. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Gene Epstein with Paul Salvatore and Santa Claus at the Fresh Connect food distribution event. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Gene receives a hug from a recipient of his generosity. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Thanks to Epstein’s generosity, the 400 men and women at the receiving end of Epstein's generosity are facing a less challenging holiday season this year. Many of them planned to put the money toward car payments, their heating bills, medical expenses and for food.

“The $100 is only a temporary fix for them. That’s the shame of it. They are going to face the same problem again. We need a fairer system,” Epstein said. “And I’ve spent a lifetime to make it fair.”

Epstein was joined at the event by Santa Claus. Also making the trip was Paul Salvatore of Newtown who was invited by Gene to help hand out the monetary gifts.

“This is absolutely phenomenal. You have Santa here making people happy. You have Gene here making people happy,” said Salvatore. “Gene has a big heart. When he sees people in need he wants to help them. But he also wants to encourage other people to do the same. We have to follow Gene’s example and get more people giving,” he said. “I’m happy Gene is my friend and he’s doing such great things. He’s helped me with my Rotary work and the projects we are doing.”

Looking around at the people waiting in line, Salvatore said this is what it’s all about. “Maybe that $100 that they are getting today will allow them to buy something they really need for themselves or for someone else. To some people $100 isn’t much, but when you don’t have anything $100 is a lot.

“The lines continue to be long,” said Salvatore. “When people say things are good, stand out here and you’ll see the need and how great it is.”

The Friday giveaway was a surprise addition to the weekly Fresh Connect food distribution organized by the Bucks County Opportunity Council.

The Bucks County Opportunity Council holds weekly Fresh Connect food giveaways in Quakertown, Warminster, Bristol Township and Ottsville in partnership with Rolling Harvest, the United Way of Bucks County, Philabundance and St. Mary Medical Center.

The council also holds weekly Fresh Connect food giveaways in Quakertown, Warminster and Ottsville in conjunction with its partnering agencies - Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, the United Way of Bucks County, Philabundance and the St. Mary Medical Center.

“Pretty much every day we are out there giving away food,” said Erin Lukoss, the executive director of the Doylestown-based BCOC.

“During the pandemic, we saw a huge spike. Then we saw that go back down, but as inflation has really caught up with people we have seen a return to pandemic levels,” said Lukoss. “Our weekly numbers here are between 400 and 500 households every week.”

On this particular Friday morning, Lukoss again watched as a long line of people filed by picking up their weekly allotment of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. She also watched as people reacted to Gene’s gift of generosity.

“He’s done this a couple of times here and it always brings a lot of tears,” she said. “A lot of people say they can’t believe someone cares. You also have people who just stop while they collect themselves. People are just overwhelmed by the kindness.

“It’s funny because people always say he’s the Jewish Santa Claus,” she added. “He says he just wants to give. He just wants to help people. It’s the season of giving and he just wants to make sure people are taken care of.

“Gene is a friend of the Opportunity Council. He’s also one of the most generous people I know. He’s one of the most caring and concerned people. But he’s also action,” said Lukoss. “He always steps up to put his money where it needs to be. And his challenges are about challenging people who have and can give to do it. He’s showing them.”

Epstein commends the work of the Bucks County Opportunity Council.

“Bucks County could not exist without the Bucks County Opportunity Council,” he said. “They do the most fantastic job that I can think of. I’ve been working with nonprofits since I was 22 years old and I’m 83 now. And I only work with those that I find to be efficient and helping the most people. And the BCOC sits at the top,” he said.

For more information about the Bucks County Opportunity Council, visit www.bcoc.org.