“It is better to give than to receive.” In gratitude for all we have received, we give, as our hearts go out to those who are suffering and need help the most. But in giving, we receive. We are healed, we grow, and become more. I have witnessed this at Arm In Arm.
During these sacred holiday seasons, the gift of your time could profoundly impact an organization like Arm In Arm, and this volunteer service will also be a gift to you. Arm In Arm is a place where people in need connect with people who want to help, and this ethos is borne out each day as we carry out our mission. Sue, a regular Hunger Prevention volunteer, sums it up well, saying “Volunteering at Arm In Arm is one of the most satisfying things I’ve done, because you can see an immediate impact for the people you serve.” When I ask our volunteers what their experience means to them, they most often say that it brings them joy, and that it is their blessing to help in this way. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and deepens their connection to their community.
Our capacity to serve is dependent upon volunteers who perform duties essential to daily operations, minimize staffing, and allow us to efficiently deliver direct aid. And this support could occur during specific times, at coordinated events, on your own schedule, and even virtually. Volunteers give of their time; share expertise and talents that better our work; and, of course, provide resources that ensure we can effectively carry out that work. We simply cannot operate without volunteers who dedicate their time to assisting neighbors in need.
There are hundreds of incredibly worthy organizations across Mercer County, each of which cares for our diverse community by addressing specific and unique needs, and each of which is deserving of your support. These organizations stay connected and work together to ensure that needs are met, and gaps are filled for those we serve. More than 10% of Mercer County residents are living with food insecurity. To strengthen our response to this, Arm In Arm works in tandem with other agencies including Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Rescue Mission of Trenton, Share My Meals, Princeton Mobile Food Pantry, and others to serve our community in a comprehensive way. The cost of housing has risen exponentially in recent years and this, coupled with a lack of affordable housing, causes added strain to low-income families. To prevent evictions and keep families stably housed, we work with other housing providers including Housing Initiatives of Princeton, HomeFront, Princeton Human Services, and more. New Jersey residents in need can dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential help and referrals to these community resources.
As we deepen our presence in the community, particularly in areas that are currently underserved, we anticipate serving families at an estimated 50,000 food pantry and mobile pantry visits and home deliveries in this fiscal year, but this is only possible with the support of volunteers. It takes 200-300 volunteers each month to see that families in our community have enough to eat. We have volunteer opportunities available nearly every day of the week so, whether you can spare a few hours a week or a few hours a month, there is always a chance to lend a hand. You can learn more here about how you can get involved and help the community that needs you.
In addition to volunteering on-site at Arm In Arm, there are plenty of other ways you can help. We expect to distribute direct food aid valued at close to $1.5 million in this fiscal year. In 2021, we estimated that the value of food received by each family at a pantry visit was approximately $45-$50, and today the value of those same items is $75-$80, which makes food drives and donations of non-perishable items much more critical. You can donate or collect items such as healthy hot cereals, peanut butter, Maseca corn flower, and healthy cooking oil to help keep our pantries stocked with items most requested and needed by our families (for a full list click here). You can even volunteer by conducting an on-line virtual food drive through Give Healthy, and have fresh produce delivered directly to our pantries. Financial donations help to purchase food, and also ensure that we have the necessary resources to distribute it. Ensuring food security for our community requires space for storage, adequate staffing, plenty of refrigeration, fuel for our Mobile Pantry vehicles and, because we are out into the community conducting mobile events 4-5 days per week, the resources to maintain them. One of the most impactful ways to give is through a recurring monthly gift, which ensures resources flow to us all year round.
Through my years of experience in the non-profit sector I have seen that, while support is needed throughout the year, the spirit of giving during the holiday season is unmatched. Individuals, both young and old, and communities come together with a singular goal: the desire to bring joy and comfort to others. At this time of year, please consider offering the gift of your time, talents, or resources to Arm In Arm, or another organization whose mission speaks to your heart. We welcome your volunteer engagement and the opportunity to work side by side with you in service of low-income neighbors across Mercer County, NJ.
David R. Fox has served as Arm In Arm’s Executive Director since 2020 and has more than twenty years of progressive experience in human services throughout New Jersey. Formative in his career are the 7 years he led a street outreach program for Covenant House, taking a deep dive into one of the most difficult and diverse communities in the country. Prior to Arm In Arm, he held development leadership positions at both Covenant House and Bonnie Brae, strategizing and finding resources critical to the agencies’ ability to serve. He holds a Ph.D. and three Masters Degrees as well as a Certificate in Executive Nonprofit Leadership.