Check out the latest news and highlights from Mercer Street Friends.
To our supporters who donate time, talents, goods and services. To our community partners & pantry partners. To our Preschool & Community School families. To our generous donors and sponsors. To our dedicated Board of Trustees and Staff. THANK YOU!
In the heart of New Jersey lies a shadowed reality that often goes unnoticed amidst our thriving communities—the silent epidemic of food insecurity. Mercer County, a region known for its cultural diversity and economic vitality, faces an escalating crisis that demands immediate attention.
Guest op-ed: Addressing the Silent Epidemic — Food Insecurity in Mercer County Read More
As the Food Bank of Mercer County, we know the stories of your neighbors experiencing hunger at unprecedented numbers. We continue to rapidly respond by providing food and resources to our 150+ pantry partners throughout the county.
On Friday, September 23, Mercer Street Friends cut the ribbon to open the first-ever Choice Food Pantry at Benjamin C. Gregory Elementary in the Trenton District School. The pantry is part of a comprehensive family resource center and an extension of Mercer Street Friends Community Schools initiative.
It’s official: Family Resource Center at Gregory Elementary Read More
Trenton, NJ: Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit whose mission supports local families through comprehensive food and education programs, is set to open the first Choice Food Pantry in a Trenton District School, as part of a comprehensive Family Resource Center. As an extension of Mercer Street Friends’ Community Schools program […]
Mercer Street Friends to Open Family Resource Center at Gregory Elementary Read More
Here’s your copy of Friends Talk 2023 – Mercer Street Friends’ annual newsletter featuring updates on mission-based initiatives supporting the Greater Trenton community.
With an endless appetite for learning, our summer 2023 preschool students,The Hungry Caterpillars, enjoyed a thoughtfully curated curriculum incorporating routine, beginning literacy, math lessons and fun!
After many hoorays and hugs at our end of Summer Bridge celebration, we said, “See you in September” to the more than 80 kindergarten through third grade students who enrolled through our Community Schools initiative in the Trenton School District.
With nearly sixty 7th and 8th grade students enrolled in our Summer Bridge Program at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, our team of educators and counselors are busy! As an extension of our Community Schools initiative, Summer Bridge is a continuation of classroom learning.
Summer Bridge Spotlight: Dr. MLK Jr. Middle School Read More
We’re off to a great start at B.C. Gregory Elementary with 80+ students – kindergarten through third grade – who’ve joined us for Summer Bridge 2023, an extension of Mercer Street Friends’ Community Schools initiative. Mornings at Summer Bridge are spent in the classroom with Trenton Public School educators (current and retired), teaching math and reading.
School’s Out, Summer’s In at Mercer Street Friends’ Summer Bridge programs at B.C. Gregory Elementary School and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Trenton, New Jersey. Summer Bridge is an extension of our Community School initiative in the Trenton School District serving hundreds of local students and families […]
Mercer Street Friends’ Leadership Awards event is a unique opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding leadership through service to the Greater Trenton community. “When you consider the longevity of loyalty to service by this distinguished group of leaders, it’s extraordinary. Each of the honorees have supported our organization for […]
Ewing, NJ – June 14, 2023: Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit whose mission supports local families through comprehensive food and education programs, hosted their third annual Leadership Awards event at the organization’s food bank in Ewing, New Jersey. On Tuesday, June 13, more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate local […]
Mercer Street Friends Honors Local Leaders For Outstanding Service to the Community Read More
Trenton, NJ: Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit whose mission supports local families through comprehensive food and education programs, hosted an award ceremony and luncheon to recognize achievement in reading for first through third grade students at Benjamin C. Gregory Elementary School in Trenton, New Jersey. On Wednesday, May 24, more […]
Mercer Street Friends’ Reading Intervention Program Has Significant Impact Read More
Trenton, NJ: On Wednesday, March 22, Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit whose mission supports local families through comprehensive food and education programs, hosted an award ceremony and luncheon to recognize achievement in reading for first grade students at Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary School in Trenton, New Jersey. Forty students and their […]
Mercer Street Friends’ Reading Intervention Yields Positive Results for Rivera Students Read More
Our FriendsTalk News From Mercer Street Friends newsletter is out. Grab your copy of the newsletter by clicking on the image below.
Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees appoints two new leaders to the Board this month. The new members are Gerald Delk and Bill Heinemann. Ken Blackwell, Chair of the Board, shared, “The Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees welcomes two exceptional leaders. Gerald and Bill bring unique skills, experiences, and […]
Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees Announces Two New Leaders Read More
Party Time! On Friday August 12th, The Mercer Street Friends Summer Bridge Program came to a close. For their hard work this summer, students enjoyed a party with arts crafts, face painting and ice cream! On display were projects showcasing what students have learned in Reading and STEAM! Mercer Street […]
It’s been an amazing summer for students from Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School as they focused on academics and extracurricular activities through the Mercer Street Friends Summer Bridge Program! Designed to assist students in continuing their skills throughout the summer, mornings are filled with writing exercises including informational texts, […]
Play Ball! On Wednesday, July 27th, Rivera Community Elementary and Gregory Elementary students took to the stands of the Trenton Thunder Baseball daytime game. For many, this was their first time out at the ballpark and their cheers for the home team were strong and loud, especially when a foul […]
Our students are artists! Last week, Rivera Community Elementary School students at the Mercer Street Friends Summer Bridge Program experienced the magic of Disney! Through numerous creative activities, students’ inner artist shone through as imaginations took flight drawing a Magic Carpet Adventure and sharing with their classmates the journey of […]
The Summer Program is in full swing! Excitement was in the air as B.C. Gregory Elementary School students took a field trip to the Franklin Institute! For many of them, it was their first time visiting Philadelphia. Students were eager to explore the Harry Potter exhibit, where they got a […]
Congratulations to our graduates! Mercer Street Friends Adult Education Program celebrated seven outstanding graduates! They didn’t let the challenges of remote learning, job changes, or the pandemic get in the way of them earning their diplomas. At their own pace, paired with an instructor or tutor, each student persevered to […]
Mercer Street Friends is ready for Summer! We’ll welcome nearly 200 students – Preschool, elementary, and middle school aged – to our Summer Bridge Program. This immersive learning program provides students with reading, writing, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curriculum, as well as movement and athletic experiences, […]
New Jersey Food Bank CEOs Make a Statement to Commend Members of the Legislature As food banks, pantries, and individuals in need continue to struggle with historic inflation and the rising costs of food and transportation, this year’s New Jersey state budget provides critical funding for hunger-fighting programs. Across New […]
Funding to Fight Hunger Included in NJ State Budget Read More
EWING, NJ (June 6, 2022) Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, which serves Mercer County, had three trucks vandalized and catalytic converters stolen over the Memorial Day weekend. The trucks are essential in the battle against food insecurity and are used daily, picking up over 50,000 pounds of dry goods, produce, […]
Theft Strikes Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and New Jersey Food Bank Partners Respond Read More
TRENTON, NJ (May 31, 2022) – Mercer Street Friends, committed to nourishing minds and bodies and empowering families and communities in Trenton and throughout Mercer County, will recognize community leaders on June 14, 2022 at the 2nd annual Mercer Street Friends Leadership Awards Celebration. The awards will be presented at […]
Mercer Street Friends Announces 2022 Leadership Awards Honorees Read More
Thanks to our partner TCNJ Bonner Scholars for providing Gregory School and Rivera Community Middle School with PPE bags as a part of the day of service to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
TCNJ Bonner Scholars Developed PPE Bags for Gregory and Rivera Staff Read More
It’s Crazy Hat Day and our kids showed up and showed out!
Equitable Food Access Grant to Supply Nutritious Weekend Meals in BIPOC Communities for Food Insecure Students (January 28, 2022) Yesterday, Trenton Superintendent James Earle and Mayor Reed Gusciora along with Mercer Street Friends and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) teamed up to pack hundreds of meals for students […]
Starbucks Gives Mercer Street Friends $100K Grant for Send Hunger Packing Program Read More
What a summer! Mercer Street Friends welcomed nearly 200 children at our Preschool, Gregory Elementary School, and Rivera Community Middle School Summer Program! Our youngest students in Preschool learned to write their names and how to count, while enjoying a new experience that provided routine and structure in the classrooms. […]
Since the beginning of the program on July 6th, students have spent their mornings focused on reading, writing, and math. Their afternoons are spent swimming, painting, and honing their cooking skills! Thanks to our community partners in guiding our students and providing them with new and exciting opportunities to learn! […]
Mercer Street Friends Preschool opened its doors for the first time since March 2020, welcoming the smiles and laughter of 60 children, ages 3 to 5. The Preschool Summer Program began with an Ice Cream Party and the days have been filled with learning routines, taking part in music and […]
We went to the zoo, zoo, zoo… It was all smiles as students from Gregory Elementary and Rivera Community Middle School ventured to the Philadelphia Zoo on Friday, July 16, 2021. For many students, this was their first outing since March 2020 – and they could not have been happier […]
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