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DRBC Cares for Its Communities: Staff Volunteers Return to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank

DRBC staff took a break from their normal duties centered around managing and protecting the shared interstate waters of the Delaware River Basin to once again volunteer at the Mercer Street Friends (MSF) Food Bank in Ewing Township, N.J. during the holiday season. Over the course of about two hours, 13 staff volunteers helped to sort and prepare food donations for distribution throughout Mercer County. While the warehouse looked rather full, MSF reminded the DRBC volunteers that the need for food to help children, adults, and seniors facing hunger was, unfortunately, far greater than what was currently available at the food bank.

The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, which is the primary source of government and privately donated food for hunger relief programs in the county, channels 2.7 million pounds of food and groceries annually to a network of 80 local food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, meal sites, schools, senior and disabled programs, and low-income housing sites. Its food distribution and hunger prevention programs reach over 30,000 people.
DRBC's Paula Schmitt, Donna Woolf, and Jessica Sanchez sorting food for "send hunger packing" bags for children. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Clarke Rupert carrying box of food from the MSF warehouse's walk-in freezer. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Li Zheng along with other colleagues packing boxes of refrigerated food for distribution. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's John Yagecic and Peter Eshbach helping to load food into vehicle for distribution to those in need. Photo by DRBC.MSF food bank warehouse shelves with non-refrigerated products awaiting distribution. Photo by DRBC.DRBC volunteers at the MSF food bank warehouse. Photo by DRBC.