By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — They may have traveled different paths to get there, but a wide variety of people have all ended up at the Fisherman’s Mark food pantry this holiday season.
The number of families in need is higher than ever.
Some are single parents who work a full-time job or even two jobs, but what they bring home in their paychecks is not enough to live on.
Others thought they’d be all right until they went to work as they have every morning only to find out their jobs had disappeared.
Others have a disability or have been hurt on the job. Some are on fixed incomes and must decide whether to pay for electricity or heating oil or put food on their tables. Divorce has added to others’ financial strain.
”We actually were able to help everybody,” said Autumn Saunders, outreach and development coordinator for the private, nonprofit social service organization. “We have a lot of people who have lost their jobs and families who depended on two incomes and are on one suddenly.”
The number of people seeking help at the food pantry is up 42 percent over the same period last year, according to Ms. Saunders. About 300 families visit the pantry each month, usually more than once a month.
”A lot of people you wouldn’t think (need assistance) are asking for help now,” she said. “People you see every day.”
Even executives are feeling an acute pinch these days with job layoffs in “all sorts of different industries at this point,” Ms. Saunders said. “We also have a fairly large Latino population, underpaid, even at two jobs.”
In addition to the increased need created by the downturn in the economy, Fisherman’s Mark faced another obstacle this year. It had to pay a new $2,300 fee charged by NORWESCAP (the Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program) for the foodstuffs to stock the pantry, which come from NORWESCAP’s Phillipsburg food bank.
Ms. Saunders attributed Fisherman’s Mark’s ability to help its clients to outstanding volunteers and some generous donations.
An anonymous group of donors contributed more than 125 turkeys so families could have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. New Hope-Solebury High School students collected food and cash.
A person who wishes to remain anonymous gave “a large cash donation,” Ms. Saunders said.
Monday, volunteers distributed bags of turkeys and all the trimmings to nearly 400 families.
More than 50 volunteers of all ages bagged the food Saturday for the organization’s annual holiday food program. They included Boy and Girl Scouts, Lambertville Public School and Lambertville Academy students and their families.
The need will not be going away just because Thanksgiving will be over soon. People will still seek out Fisherman’s Mark.
”They just need to say, ‘I need help,’ and we help them define their needs,” Ms. Saunders said. “It’s time to take away the stress of asking for help, the stigma. Everybody needs a hand sometimes.”
They may need help with rent because foreclosures are rising, according to Ms. Saunders. They might need a hand paying a utility bill, or they may be eligible for workers’ compensation or other forms of aid, but don’t know how to fill out the paperwork. Others need to find affordable child care so they can find a job.
Fisherman’s Mark has helped in all these scenarios.
Ms. Saunders praised the efforts of volunteers Joe Wisdo and the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Martin of Tours Church in New Hope and Jan Augenblick of Bucks County, who were “instrumental in helping to muster the support of the local community.”
To make a donation, phone Fisherman’s Mark at 397-0194.
Food donations may be dropped off at the Fisherman’s Mark’s office at 89 N. Main St. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Persons in need may call the phone number listed above. Or others may call if they know of those who need help.
Visit Fisherman’s Mark at www.fishermansmark.org.

