Mercer Street Friends

08/28/2026

Mercer Street Friends was proud to join Senator Cory Booker at The Franklin Food Bank for an important conversation about the future of SNAP and the impact of recent changes on New Jersey families. Beginning October 1, 2026, New Jersey could face $90 million in additional SNAP administrative costs that would normally be covered by the federal government, including $78 million that would fall on counties – many of which are already seeing longer lines at food pantries as families struggle to put food on the table.

At Mercer Street Friends, we’re seeing more parents visiting our school-based food pantries, often at the very schools where their children are learning, including at our Community Schools throughout and . This is a powerful reminder that access to nutritious food is directly connected to a child’s ability to focus, learn, and succeed. When families lose access to critical food support, the impact extends far beyond dinner that night – it can affect a child’s well-being, education, and future.

We’re grateful to Senator Booker for listening to organizations on the front lines of hunger and standing up for New Jersey families. Together, we must protect SNAP and ensure no child has to learn on an empty stomach.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey
Food Bank of South Jersey
Fulfill
Norwescap New Jersey
Arm In Arm

08/27/2026

to an unforgettable summer with our Summer Bridge students! 😎📚 Our Community School students showed up and shined all summer long. From educational enrichment in math, reading, and social-emotional learning to extracurriculars like drumline, fashion, gardening, and drama, our students had plenty of opportunities to learn, explore, and grow.

Now, they’re heading into the new school year with new skills, new experiences, and plenty of confidence to crush it in the classroom this fall! 💪💙

Learn more about Summer Bridge and the Community Schools Initiative: https://mercerstreetfriends.org/programs/community-schools-initiative/

08/25/2026

Kinda chic to care about your community. 💙

At Mercer Street Friends, we’re all about making sure our neighbors have access to the food, family support, and educational opportunities they need to thrive. And honestly? We think that’s pretty chic.

Learn more and get involved: https://bit.ly/3XH55A3

08/24/2026

Hey ! 👋 Are you 16–24 years old and ready to earn your GED and take the next step toward your future?

We’ve partnered with Anchor House, Inc. to offer a FREE GED & Workforce Training Program designed to help you build the skills, confidence, and education you need to reach your goals. 🎓 A GED can open the door to new opportunities – and we’re here to help you get there!

Ready to get started? 📞 Call (609) 570-3124 for more information and to enroll.

Anchor House is partnering with Street Friends to offer a FREE GED & Workforce Training Program for eligible Mercer County residents ages 16–24.

If you're ready to earn your GED, build career skills, and prepare for employment, this opportunity is for you!

📞 Call (609) 570-3124 to learn more and enroll.

08/20/2026

Access to fresh, nutritious food is essential to a healthy life. That's why, when we moved into our warehouse nearly three years ago, we invested in state-of-the-art cold storage to better serve .

With the ability to safely store and distribute refrigerated items like dairy products and proteins, we’re helping our pantry partners provide families with more nutritious food options and expanding access to healthy meals across our community. 🍖🥦

Learn more about how we’re working to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods: https://bit.ly/4ekhAs6

08/19/2026

We kicked off August by celebrating the end of a summer filled with growth, exploration, learning, new friendships, and lasting memories! Through Summer Bridge 2026, more than 300 Community School and Preschool students had access to academic instruction and engaging enrichment opportunities designed to keep them learning, growing, and connected throughout the summer – and help prevent the “summer slide.”

The Summer Showcase was one to remember. Students celebrated their growth in math, literacy, and social-emotional learning while proudly sharing the projects and skills they developed throughout the summer. 😎💙 From short film premieres and an incredible drumline performance to front-row seats at a student fashion show, the showcase was a true celebration of everything our students accomplished.

We couldn’t be prouder of the creativity, confidence, and growth our students showed all summer long. Read more about Summer Bridge and the Summer Showcase in The Trentonian: https://mercerstreetfriends.org/summer-bridge-program-featured-in-the-trentonian/

08/18/2026

Never miss an opportunity to support our mission of nourishing minds and bodies and empowering families and communities. 💙🤝

Visit our website and click “sign up for information” to join: https://bit.ly/3XH55A3

08/17/2026

Today is National Day!

As a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian nonprofit, Mercer Street Friends is guided by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Every day, we work alongside and communities to address food insecurity, strengthen families, expand educational opportunities, and help individuals and families overcome poverty and its lasting effects.

We're grateful to our staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and community members who make this work possible. 💙

Learn more about our mission and values: https://bit.ly/3RSClT2

08/13/2026

When you with Mercer Street Friends, you’re making a real and immediate impact in your community.

Our volunteers are a vital part of our mission – sorting food, packing bags, and helping ensure nutritious meals reach our pantry partners and neighbors facing food insecurity.

Ready to join a team of compassionate volunteers working to make a difference? Learn more and sign up today: https://bit.ly/3WzMxTv

08/12/2026

Hunger doesn’t end when the school bell rings on Friday. Across , school-provided breakfasts and lunches are often some of the most consistent and nutritious meals students receive each week.

That’s why Mercer Street Friends’ Send Hunger Packing (SHUP) program helps bridge the gap by providing weekend meal bags to students and families facing food insecurity. These bags help ensure students have access to nutritious food at home – so they can spend their weekends growing, learning, and enjoying time with loved ones, then return to school on Monday ready to learn.

Because every child deserves the opportunity to thrive – at school and at home. 🧡 Learn more about SHUP and its impact: https://bit.ly/3EUutg2