James “Butter” Allen initially joined Mercer Street Friends as a member of the Board of Trustees and served on the Board for nine years. In 2019, Butter resigned to assist Mercer Street Friends Food Bank with programs such as Send Hunger Packing and CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program). In March 2020, he assumed the role as director. He supervises several components of the Food Bank including programs, food purchases, client and customer service improvement, and overall operations. Butter is also a resource person for the county as it relates to food insecurity and sustaining our pantry partners. Butter enjoys the opportunity to provide a service that enhances the lives of others.
Butter retired from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in 2005 and currently serves on the college’s Alumni Board. He also worked for the City of Trenton as Deputy Director of Public Works and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Upsilon and Gamma Nu Nu chapters, and is a Prince Hall Mason for the state of New Jersey.
