Who We Are

17 years ago, I was working at Johnson Park Elementary School and had to separate two third graders who were fighting over a granola bar – they were sad, stressed, and not performing well in school. Though it may seem surprising that in a town like Princeton, hunger could be an issue…unfortunately, it is. As soon as I could, I started supplying fruits and other snacks – first from my bag and as word spread and demand grew, I expanded to my car. With lots of help and support from my friends, we eventually began seeing our families and neighbors every week at the Pannell Center. The day before the Covid pandemic really took hold, we had an enormous line of more than 200 people waiting for anything we could give. Once the pandemic hit, we had to pivot, which meant replacing long crowded lines with deliveries to individual homes. As a true community effort, we relied on our local supermarket, McCaffrey’s, who continues to be an incredible partner to us. The township even provided us with storage space and a place to pack bags of food that would be delivered to our Princeton families in need.

As the number of families in need of help continued to grow, we began collaborating with other organizations such as Cornerstone, PMA, Share my Meals, PPS gardens, and our local farmers, Tomas and Trevor – by the end of 2020, we had helped to feed approximately 2,500 members of the Princeton community. Throughout the following years, fueled by our dedicated volunteers, we have continued to deliver bi-weekly groceries to our fellow Princetonians.

I became involved with PMFP when a friend shared with me the percentage of Princeton families that were food insecure. I had been working for several non-profits and realized I also wanted to give back to my community. I love being part of an organization with so many like-minded women who are all focused on the same goal to feed our neighbors and support each other. I am very proud of the growth of PMFP, starting with distributing random donated food, to now distributing fresh and healthy groceries to over 250 households.

I joined PMFP as I recognized the unfortunate impact food insecurity has on many members of the Princeton community and I wanted to help. I truly enjoy working with my fellow volunteers in this women led, 100% volunteer grass roots organization.

I began volunteering with the Pantry in 2024. Being relatively new to Princeton, I was looking for a way to meaningfully connect with and support the people in my community. After a year of packing bags and occasionally delivering food, I joined the board because I strongly believed in the mission of the PMFP. It’s a privilege (and fun!) to work alongside such a committed group of volunteers. As the number of folks and families being served by PMFP continues to grow, our simple mission stays the same - reducing the impact of food insecurity in Princeton.

I was happy to get involved with the PMFP right before the pandemic.  Amy Lansky told me about the organization and I was excited to lend a hand. From the first time I volunteered, I was hooked on helping. I always look forward to Pantry day because of the good feelings you get when you are helping others as well as the positive vibes you get from working together with your community.  Volunteering at the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry and joining the Board has been such a great addition to my life.

I met our founder, Liliana, when my three children were in elementary school.  She told me about the Pantry that she had started and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.  The Pantry has expanded and changed since then but the core value is the same - neighbors helping neighbors. Our team always says that Pantry days are some of their happiest days!  We have an amazing community that I love being a part of.

I met Lilliana when my boys first started at JP in 2017. She shared with me the mission of Pantry and how many of our families were facing food insecurity. Having grown up in a food-insecure household myself, I saw it as an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.

I started by collecting egg cartons, and over the years I've been incredibly fortunate to watch some of the most amazing women I know transform PMFP into something truly special. Pantry has become so much more than a volunteer opportunity—it's my happy place.

Over the years I have had the privilege of watching our founder, Liliana, turn a simple but powerful vision into what is now the PMFP. I have been inspired by her and by the many volunteers who have helped bring that vision to life.

Food insecurity affects many families in our community, and volunteering at the pantry is important to me because it helps ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious, wholesome food while being treated with kindness and respect. I am grateful to play a small role in continuing the mission that Liliana began so many years ago.

Food is love — and no one in our community should go without it. That belief is what drives my passion for the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry. I started as a volunteer, packing bags and delivering to neighbors’ homes, and quickly fell in love with the mission. As someone who genuinely loves to cook, I am moved by the fact that PMFP provides real, fresh ingredients — eggs, milk, chicken, and vegetables — so families can prepare actual meals for their tables. Food insecurity is not fair. Joining this board is my way of making a difference in the community I call home.