Mercer Street Friends to Recognize NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit supporting the community as the food bank for Mercer County and through comprehensive family and education programs, will host its fourth annual Leadership Awards on June 10, 2024 at its newly opened food bank warehouse in Ewing, N.J. This event will recognize New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) with the 2024 Humanitarian Award for his dedication to ending food insecurity in New Jersey. Special guest Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, will join the evening’s presentation and formally introduce Speaker Coughlin.

“We are delighted to honor Speaker Coughlin, who has shown an unwavering commitment to ending the fight against hunger in New Jersey,” says Bernie Flynn, CEO, Mercer Street Friends. “And we are thrilled to welcome Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, who as the leader of Feeding America has been tirelessly shepherding Mercer Street Friends and our fellow food banks across the country in creating sustainable, equitable solutions to end food insecurity.”

As the Food Bank of Mercer County, Mercer Street Friends provides the equivalent of more than 6 million meals annually to families and individuals in the area via its network of over 100 pantry partners. More directly, for students who qualify for free school meals Monday through Friday, Mercer Street Friends provides over 2,000 children with breakfast and lunch each Saturday and Sunday through its Send Hunger Packing (SHUP) program.

“Our community is one that has always come together to support our neighbors and build each other up, so we are excited to host an inspiring event that celebrates that spirit of good will,” added Flynn. “All people, but especially children, need access to nutritious food, quality education and strong family support in order to succeed. We’re confidently supporting our community today while building a better future for the children of the Trenton area, too.”

The awards ceremony will take place on June 10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets or secure a sponsorship for the Leadership Awards Celebration, visit https://mercerstreetfriends.org/leadership-awards-2024/.

About Mercer Street Friends

As a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization, Mercer Street Friends is dedicated to nourishing minds and bodies, empowering families and communities by providing comprehensive programs to address poverty and the physical and emotional trauma it creates for children, families and the community. Their work is focused on three critical areas: food, families and education. To learn more about Mercer Street Friends, visit www.mercerstreetfriends.org.