To the Editor:

The Princeton Mobile Food Pantry (PMFP) is a grassroots organization that has operated in various forms since 2010. In 2017, we established a partnership with Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and offered a weekly pickup for over 300 people at the Henry Pannell Learning Center.

Under COVID-19, we became independent and mobile, changed our name to the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry, and shifted to biweekly deliveries of fresh groceries to over 500 food-insecure people. Our primary focus is on families with children in Princeton Public Schools, all of whom range in age, race, identity, background, and mobility. A volunteer-led collective, we support our neighbors through various networks and collaboration with community partners.

To date, we have supplied nearly 3,000 orders of fresh groceries and referred over 30 people to partner organizations, and engaged nearly 100 volunteers ranging from age 4 (food drive) to senior citizens (making deliveries), all stepping up to help nourish families in our community.

The PMFP team would like to thank our many volunteers and supporters — from the food packers to the delivery people to the financial donors to the countless organizations — who have helped to address food insecurity in Princeton: 

McCaffrey’s Food Market Princeton; Princeton Mutual Aid; Cornerstone Community Kitchen; I Support the Girls; The Golden Lotus Project; The Bag Project; Princeton Community Democratic Organization; R + K=Smiles; BEACON (Black Educators Affirming Coalition Opportunities and Network); Community Park, Johnson Park, Riverside, Littlebrook, and PUMS school gardens; Morven Museum and Garden; Honey Brook Organic Farm; Whole Foods Market; Share My Meals; Small World Coffee; Mercer Street Friends Food Bank; The Bagel Nook; The Chinese Christian Community; Ecclesia; The Jewish Center of Princeton; Princeton Unified Middle School PTO; Princeton Charter School; Farminary at Princeton Theological Seminary; and the hundreds of private donors and volunteers. 

However, our work is still not done, and the need remains very high due to the pandemic. We are seeking to raise $20,000 in order to provide fresh groceries to our neighbors through the end of 2020. Please consider supporting PMFP and help us help our neighbors by making a financial donation, and being a bright spot in this very difficult year. Visit princetonfoodpantry.wixsite.com or email pmfpantry@gmail.com.

The Princeton Mobile Food Pantry Team
Newlin Road