Newtown's Have A Heart Foundation Donates $10K To Fuel The Force

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Athletic Club's Have a Heart Foundation has announced a donation of $10,000 to Fuel the Force, a nonprofit organization based in Newtown that offers free lunch to Bucks County's police officers.

In 2022, Christina Nelson officially launched "Fuel the Force," which uses public donations to provide free meals to on-duty police officers at designated restaurants and eateries in their municipalities.

The seeds were planted at La Stalla Italian Market in Newtown Township where Nelson has worked since the Sycamore Street market opened its doors.

“Whenever I was on and a police officer came in for lunch, I would buy them lunch,” said Nelson. “It was just a kind gesture that I could do. I just felt they needed to be shown love and support given what was going on in the country.”

That little gesture led to the creation of “Fuel the Force,” which has now spread to municipalities throughout Bucks County where on duty officers can stop by a locally designated restaurant or eatery and enjoy a free lunch.

“Our police officers risk their lives every day to serve and protect us and our community,” said Nelson. “Let's give them something in return by treating them to lunch while they are on duty to show our gratitude. It's the least we can do!”

On hand for the donation from NAC's Have A Heart Foundation were Nelson, NAC owner Jim Worthington and NAC Have A Heart Director Linda Mitchell. They were joined by police officers from Bensaem, Newtown Township and Borough, Yardley, Lower Makefield, Upper Makefield, Langhorne, Buckingham, Northampton and the Bucks County Sheriff's office.

NAC owner Jim Worthington and Have A Heart Chair Linda Mitchell present a check for $10,000 to Christina Nelson and the Have a Heart Foundation. (Courtesy of the Have A Heart Foundation)

'We are proud to have supported Fuel the Force for three years in a row and plan to continue to support whatever they do in the future," said Mitchell.

To learn more and to donate visit https://fueltheforce.org/ To learn more about NAC Have a Heart Foundation and to apply for a donation visit https://nachaveaheart.org/appl...