The Falls Township Police Department is happy to be partnering with Neighbor in Need for the first time this holiday season.
by June Portnoy
In 2017, Liz Kearney of Lower Makefield transformed a simple act of kindness into a community-wide movement. It all began when Liz, inspired by her neighbor’s struggle after a stroke, reached out for support on social media to provide meals for the single mother and her young daughter. The overwhelming response—40 eager volunteers—revealed a powerful truth: “People wanted to help others; they just didn’t know how,” described Liz.
As a result, Liz and her friend, Wendy Simon, went to the Pennsbury School District, where her three children had attended, to meet with their social workers. “I wanted to help families in this community who had already been vetted by the school district’s criteria as need-based,” Liz explained. Once the school district was on board, Neighbor in Need (NIN) was born.
What began as a grassroots effort has since grown into a thriving nonprofit, thanks to the support of over 2,000 dedicated volunteers, most of whom live in this school district.
Since 2018, NIN has organized an annual Thanksgiving drive, providing full meals, including nonperishables, for 50 families. This tradition continues every year, ensuring families can gather around the table and enjoy a warm holiday meal.
The heart of NIN’s holiday season is its Angel Tree Toy Drive established five years ago, which brings holiday magic to hundreds of children. In collaboration with Pennsbury School District social workers who identify families most in need, NIN solicits sponsors who help make toy donations possible. This year, more than ten sponsors have risen to the occasion, so that NIN can provide gifts for 400 children across 150 families.
“We make sure everyone on the list gets a gift, and if donations fall short, we supplement them using money raised during our annual April bingo fundraiser,” Liz explained. “Every child deserves to feel the joy of the season.”
Community members can contribute by selecting an Angel Tree tag from one of several participating locations. Each tag provides pertinent information about each child such as their age, gender, clothing size, interests, etc.
Angel tags from a holiday tree can be picked up at the following locations:
- Fall Township Police Station (Records Department), Fallsington Township
- Vault Brewing Company, Yardley
- Yardley Refillery, Yardley
- Optimum Health Chiropractic, Yardley
- Cenlar FSB, Yardley
- Doylestown Health (GI Department), Doylestown
- Celldex Therapeutics, Hampton, NJ
Unwrapped new toys can be dropped off at the locations above as well as to the following locations:
- Villa Rosa, Yardley
- Pretty Bird Coffee, Yardley
- FZ Works, Yardley
- Britton Industries, Morrisville
The deadline for returning gifts is December 15. Donations can also be left at 1546 Makefield Road in Yardley in the designated bin by the side door.
Neighbor in Need’s impact extends far beyond the holiday season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization provided weekly groceries to over 200 families for eight consecutive months. They also sent catered meals to healthcare workers at hospitals as a gesture of thanks for all their time and hard work.
In 2021, when Liz realized that none of the Pennsbury elementary schools had a food pantry, NIN established one at Manor Elementary School. It currently serves over 40 families weekly, and if more families become in need of this pantry, Liz confidently states that there will be food waiting for them as well. Any student from any of the elementary schools in this school district can access this food pantry.
In addition, throughout the year, NIN assists its 19067 community members on a one-time basis in times of a temporary hardship or setback such as an illness, death, unemployment, house fire, restarting or escaping from domestic abuse, etc. From covering PECO bills to distributing grocery store gift cards, their work meets immediate needs while uplifting the Pennsbury community.
Liz attributes her dedication to her mother, Adele, who instilled the value of paying it forward. “She believed if you’re blessed, you should help others. That’s the principle that drives everything we do,” Liz shared.
Liz was humbled to be recognized this year at the YMCA Bucks County Annual Salute to Women Who Make a Difference Gala. With accolades like this, in addition to NIN being selected as “Best of Bucks” in 2020 and 2024, it’s obvious that Neighbor in Need’s work is acknowledged and appreciated by countless families who have experienced their generosity firsthand.
For Liz and her many volunteers, the goal is simple: to ensure no one in their community faces the holidays, or life’s challenges, alone.
To learn more about Neighbor in Need, reach out to Neighbor1209@yahoo.com. Together, they’re proving that a little kindness can spark a movement of compassion.