Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through food, family and education services and the Feeding America food bank of Mercer County, hosted its Sixth Annual Leadership Awards Celebration on June 9.

Presented by Grand Sponsor Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies and held at Mercer Street Friends’ food bank warehouse in Ewing, the event celebrated individuals and organizations whose extraordinary leadership and philanthropy have uplifted the Mercer County community and advanced the Mercer Street Friends mission. Honorees included Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Corporate Leadership & Public Service Award; Senator Shirley K. Turner, 2026 Humanitarian Award; and Board Chair Ken Blackwell, Robert M. Appelbaum Service Award.

“The energy in our food bank this evening left me with a renewed sense of hope and commitment to the people of Mercer County,” said Randall West, incoming CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Congratulations to our honorees, whose leadership and commitment are helping build a stronger Mercer County, and thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and dedicated staff. Your support makes this celebration possible and powers the essential services that individuals and families rely on every day.”

Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies, longstanding partners and dedicated supporters of Mercer Street Friends, exemplify corporate leadership through its sustained commitment to service and community impact. Since 1998, Bloomberg employees have contributed more than 10,000 volunteer hours to Mercer Street Friends, supporting programs that provide food, resources and opportunities for families across the region.

“Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies are honored to be recognized by Mercer Street Friends, an organization we have been proud to support for nearly three decades,” said Misti Pasigos, New Jersey Corporate Philanthropy lead at Bloomberg. “Together, we have built a partnership rooted in service, collaboration and a shared focus on helping New Jersey families access the resources they need. Through the dedication of Bloomberg volunteers, we are proud to help advance Mercer Street Friends’ mission in direct and meaningful ways.”

Senator Shirley K. Turner, a longtime champion of public service and a steadfast advocate for education and community investment, has consistently supported programs that strengthen outcomes for children and families – including the Mercer Street Friends Community Schools Initiative.

“I have always believed that public service means meeting people where they are and ensuring access to the resources that allow them to succeed,” said Senator Shirley K. Turner. “Mercer Street Friends brings that belief to life through its work across food, family and education, and I am honored to be recognized by an organization so deeply committed to the well-being of our communities.”

Ken Blackwell has served on the Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees since 2017 and as Board Chair since 2020. As CEO of InKlaritas and a certified coach, trainer and keynote speaker, he brings decades of leadership and nonprofit experience to the organization, helping guide its growth and expand its reach across Mercer County.

“Mercer Street Friends plays a vital role in strengthening communities by addressing the interconnected challenges families face,” said Ken Blackwell. “Our work across food, family and education reflects an understanding that lasting change requires a comprehensive approach. It is an honor to be part of an organization making such a meaningful difference throughout Mercer County.”

Additional event sponsors included Anne Irwin and Bob Holt, NJM Insurance Group, Capital Health, Ann and Bernie Flynn and the “On Deckers”.

Mercer Street Friends presented the first annual Mr. Mac Book Award to Jessica Nazario at the Sixth Annual Leadership Awards Celebration.

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By the Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group

Across Mercer County, food insecurity is rising at a pace we can no longer afford to overlook. Local food pantries, community meal sites, and home-delivery programs are seeing 20–25% more visits than this time last year, along with a growing number of first-time users. Seniors on fixed incomes, families with young children, and historically underserved communities are being pushed to the brink.

These are not distant statistics—they are our neighbors in Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, Princeton, and communities across the county.

To be clear, Mercer County has made meaningful progress. In the wake of the pandemic, nonprofits, county agencies, faith communities, and private partners came together in unprecedented ways. Thanks to strong state and county leadership, we have expanded access, improved coordination, and reached more residents than ever before.

But today, even that collective effort is being outpaced.

Inflation, rising housing and transportation costs, and reductions in nutrition benefits are forcing more households into the emergency food system. The network of food pantries and meal programs—never designed for this level of sustained demand—is now under extraordinary strain.

And much of this struggle remains hidden. Food insecurity is not always visible. It may be the senior living quietly down the block, the parent juggling bills behind closed doors, or the family whose children sit next to ours in school.

Behind the data are impossible choices: skipping meals so children can eat, stretching groceries beyond what is safe, or choosing between food and necessary medication. Without reliable access to food, everything else—health, education, employment—begins to unravel. Food security is the foundation on which every other form of progress depends.

The situation is about to grow even more urgent.

In the coming months, SNAP recertifications, administrative hurdles, and benefit reductions are expected to push even more families off critical support or reduce what they receive. That will place additional pressure on a system already stretched too thin.

This is not a temporary spike. It is a sustained and deepening challenge.

In response, the Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group—a coalition including Arm In Arm, HomeFront, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Mercer Street Friends, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, the Rescue Mission, and supported by Trenton Health Team—has worked to strengthen the county’s food system.

Together, we have expanded food access in high-need areas like East and West Trenton, advanced a Choice Pantry and Resource Hub model, improved coordination of public and private resources, and convened partners through the county’s first Food Security Conference.

These efforts matter. They show what is possible. But they are not enough to meet what lies ahead.

Addressing this crisis will require a deeper, broader response from across Mercer County—business leaders, philanthropic partners, faith institutions, civic organizations, and residents alike. State and county leadership have laid a critical foundation through historic food security investments. Private partnership must now help scale it.

As we move through 2026 and into 2027, increased demand is not a possibility—it is an expectation. Meeting it will require sustained funding, expanded volunteer engagement, stronger data collaboration, and continued advocacy.

No single organization can meet this moment alone. But as a community, we can.

We are committed to continuing this work—ensuring access to nutritious food in every corner of the county, strengthening coordination across providers, and building a more resilient system for the future. But success will depend on collective action.

Mercer County has shown, time and again, what we can accomplish when we come together.

Now is one of those moments.

Support your local food providers. Volunteer your time. Advocate for continued investment. Partner with organizations doing this work every day.

The need is here. The pressure is growing. And the time to act is now.

Together, we can ensure that every Mercer County resident has the food they need—not just to get by, but to truly thrive.

Signed,

The Mercer County Food Security Leaders Group:
Michelle Schwalbe, Chair; Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Executive Director
Maureen Hunt, Vice-Chair; Arm In Arm, Executive Director
Sarah Steward, HomeFront, Chief Executive Officer
Bernie Flynn, Randall West, & Lisa Weber, Mercer Street Friends; current CEO, incoming CEO, and Chief of Food Security
Barrett Young, The Rescue Mission, Chief Executive Officer
Amy Flynn, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Broad, Trenton Health Team, Director of Programs

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Fresh, locally grown produce is reaching more New Jersey families thanks to a powerful New Jersey hunger relief partnership focused on fighting food insecurity and strengthening food access across the Garden State. Mercer Street Friends joined the four other New Jersey Feeding America food banks — Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, and Norwescap — at America’s Grow-a-Row alongside the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to celebrate the successful first year of a transformative partnership aimed at improving produce sourcing and distribution across New Jersey.

One Year of Impact

Over the past year, the partnership has worked to ensure that more fresh fruits and vegetables grown in New Jersey stay in New Jersey communities. Through coordinated sourcing, distribution, and collaboration between food banks and agricultural partners, the percentage of America’s Grow-a-Row produce retained within the state increased from 34% to 63%.

As a result, more than 2.6 million pounds of fresh produce have reached neighbors facing food insecurity across New Jersey — expanding access to nutritious food while supporting local agriculture and strengthening regional food systems.

This collaboration highlights what is possible when nonprofits, state agencies and agricultural organizations work together toward a shared mission: ensuring every family has access to fresh, healthy food.

To learn more about this statewide initiative, visit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey blog.

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Mercer Street Friends continues to lead the way in Central New Jersey, expanding vital programs and strengthening our ability to serve the community – even in the face of growing need.

2025 brought both challenge and response. When a government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits last fall, families suddenly faced empty cupboards. In that moment, Mercer Street Friends and our 150+ pantry partners mobilized quickly to ensure emergency food reached those who needed it most.

That spirit of action, collaboration, and care runs throughout this year’s Impact Report.

Inside, you’ll meet “Mr. Mac,” a 90-year-old longtime employee whose daily presence continues to inspire our team, learn how a transformative state grant is doubling our Community School footprint in Mercer County, and see how partners like America’s Grow-A-Row and MARC helped bring fresh, locally grown produce to New Jersey families.

Across every story, one theme is clear: our work is strongest when it is connected. Food, family, and education programs do not operate in silos – they work together to support the whole person and the whole community.

We invite you to explore the full Impact Report to see how, together, we are nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities across Mercer County.

Download and read your copy here.

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Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit organization serving families and individuals across Mercer County through food, family, and education services, proudly announced Randall West as new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. West succeeds Bernie Flynn, who served as Chief Executive Officer beginning in February 2020. Flynn will remain involved and support the transition as a member of Mercer Street Friends’ Board of Trustees.

West joined Mercer Street Friends in April 2025 as Chief Administrative Officer and immersed himself in the organization’s operations, programs, and mission, working alongside Flynn to continue to foster a collaborative, goal-driven culture rooted in strategic focus and shared purpose.

Randall West, Incoming Mercer Street Friends CEO

West will put his many years of entrepreneurial and business experience as well as volunteer board service to work for the organization at a time when the need for access to food, vital educational support, and family services continues to grow. He is committed to leading with integrity to further Mercer Street Friends’ mission to nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

“I am thrilled to assume this position and will follow the highly successful path forward initiated by Bernie Flynn, that addresses food insecurity throughout the County while helping our youth and their families in our Preschool, six Community Schools, and through our Parenting programs,” said West. “Mercer Street Friends has been rooted in Trenton and Mercer County since 1958. It is an honor to work with our outstanding Board of Trustees, staff, and dedicated benefactors to continue our legacy of serving the urgent needs of the community.”

Outside of his role at Mercer Street Friends, West serves on the board of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown and served on the boards of The First Tee of Greater Trenton and the Ford Minority Dealer Association. He was a representative of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). His volunteer service reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through mentorship, service, and strategic leadership.

“We welcome Randall as CEO at this pivotal time in our organization’s history,” said Kenneth Blackwell, Board Chair for Mercer Street Friends. “Rooted in our Quaker values, and thanks to the exceptional leadership and stewardship of Bernie Flynn, we are embarking on a new chapter that promises our neighbors and partners that we stand together with them to lift up Trenton and Mercer County through food, family, and education.”

“Recognizing Randall’s passion for and commitment to community service and our mission, I am pleased he will assume the leadership role at Mercer Street Friends,” said Flynn. “I welcome the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees and lend my support during the transition as our organization begins the next chapter in its long history of serving the people of Mercer County.”

West earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and completed the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his wife Jaye reside in Moorestown, N.J.

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This funding opportunity, made possible through support from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), is designed to help Mercer County expand food distribution programs, strengthen operational capacity, advance choice-based pantry models, and broaden services. The FY26 Capacity Investment Grant supports initiatives that increase access to nutritious food, improve client choice and dignity, enhance community-based food distribution systems, and promote long-term health outcomes for residents facing food insecurity.

Hunger relief organizations serving Mercer County are encouraged to review the full grant proposal and apply, if eligible. This funding represents a critical opportunity to increase impact, expand reach, and strengthen the local food security network.

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As Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer at NJM Insurance Group, Sanjay oversees Information Technology, Information Security, and the company’s Project Management and Customer Experience departments. He leads NJM’s technology and digital transformation initiatives in support of the organization’s strategic goals, with a strong focus on enhancing the policyholder experience.

Sanjay’s career with NJM began in 2005 when he joined the company as a Lead Solutions Architect. Over the years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Assistant Vice President, PMO, and Vice President of Strategic Alignment and Execution. His steady progression reflects both his technical expertise and his ability to align innovation with organizational strategy.

He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in electrical & electronic engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani. Sanjay is also a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a certified Sigma Black Belt, and has earned the LEAD certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is fluent in Hindi and Tamil.

“Sanjay’s extensive background in digital transformation, strategic execution, and customer experience will be instrumental in supporting Mercer Street Friends’ continued growth and innovation” says Ken Blackwell, Board Chair. “His 20 years of expertise honed at NJM, and his passion for creating and cultivating strong teams will help the Board further strengthen its operational excellence, advance forward-thinking initiatives, and ensure Mercer Street Friends remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.”

Welcome to the Mercer Street Friends team, Sanjay! We are proud to have you on our Board of Trustees as we nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

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This funding opportunity, made possible through support from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), is designed to help Mercer County expand food distribution programs, strengthen operational capacity, advance choice-based pantry models, and broaden services. The FY26 Capacity Investment Grant supports initiatives that increase access to nutritious food, improve client choice and dignity, enhance community-based food distribution systems, and promote long-term health outcomes for residents facing food insecurity.

Hunger relief organizations serving Mercer County are encouraged to review the full grant proposal and apply, if eligible. This funding represents a critical opportunity to increase impact, expand reach, and strengthen the local food security network.

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Weber previously served as Senior Director of Food Security and Health Equity at Norwescap as well as Chief Administrative Officer at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. She is a well-respected leader among New Jersey’s five Feeding America food banks, notably spearheading the statewide task force to increase America’s Grow-A-Row’s fresh produce distributed in New Jersey by more than 85% to 2.6 million pounds to help neighbors in need.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to the Mercer Street Friends team,” said Bernie Flynn, CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Her extensive food banking and senior leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our organization. As we continue to expand to meet the growing needs of our neighbors, I am confident Lisa will bring valuable perspective, strong leadership, and an innovative mindset to our work.”

Weber’s role reflects Mercer Street Friends’ ongoing commitment to addressing the rising need for food assistance in Mercer County.

• In 2025 alone, the organization distributed more than 6.5 million meals and 7 million pounds of food to 140,000 residents, including children, veterans, and seniors.
• Each month, over 7,000 Send Hunger Packing (SHUP) weekend food bags reach students in more than 40 local schools.
• Since March 2020, the nonprofit has distributed over 400,000 Community Food bags, providing enough supplies for 16 meals per family recipient.
• In November 2025, Mercer Street Friends led the SNAP emergency food relief efforts in Mercer County, distributing over 1,500 food bags – totaling 42,250 pounds of food – in just three days.

“I am proud to join Mercer Street Friends in its mission of nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities,” said Weber. “I look forward to bringing my experience, passion, and commitment to this role, and working with the team to build systems that ensure every family in Mercer County has consistent access to healthy, nutritious food.”

Prior to her work in New Jersey’s food banking network, Weber spent nearly 13 years at Prudential Financial, where she concluded her tenure as Vice President of Talent Acquisition. She served as an Advocate and on the Board of Trustees for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), advocating for children in the foster care system who have experienced neglect and hardship.

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During a time of crisis in our country, Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Today, her words ring just as true.

For the first time on November 1, federal SNAP benefits, a critical safety net for families, were not available for use. Thanks to the State of New Jersey, these cards have since been fully funded for November for New Jersey residents, providing much-needed relief. And as of Wednesday night, the federal government shutdown, the longest in our history, is now over. Yet the threat to SNAP still looms, and families continue to rely on our services more than ever.

But in all the darkness, we see a light. The past few weeks have shown us the true greatness, strength, and resilience in our community.

Thank you to every donor, volunteer, neighbor, and friend who stepped up and came together to support one another during this unprecedented time of need.

Because of your generosity, Mercer Street Friends was able to respond quickly and effectively to our neighbors in need. Through three emergency food distributions, we served 1,270 Mercer County families, distributing hundreds Community Food Bags – along with fresh Jersey produce and eggs – totaling 42,250 pounds of food.

Your contributions directly supported the distribution of food and deployment of services where they were needed most. As we move into the holiday season – a time when the need is already high – your support will continue to fuel our mission and sustain our neighbors.

While we can only hope that this is the last time our community faces a crisis like this, Mercer Street Friends promises to continue rising to the occasion – showing up, standing up, and lifting up those who need it most today, tomorrow, and in the future – no matter what.

We can do this because of you – our extraordinary community.

Thank you.

We need your support as we continue to meet the needs of our neighbors.

Donate Here

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