As I settle into my new role as CEO of TASK, I am grateful for the warm welcome from our community partners, supporters, volunteers and all those we serve. It is truly an honor to lead an organization so deeply rooted in service and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the greater Trenton area.

TASK’s vision is “to be a powerful force in ending hunger and reducing the impact of poverty in the greater Trenton area.” While TASK has been at the forefront of this work for more than four decades, we face new and growing threats to food security. I am committed to carrying the mantle forward, working alongside you to build on TASK’s legacy of service and impact.

With that in mind, I want to share TASK’s commitment to all of you – our partners in this vital work:

We will listen and respond to the needs of our community.

The statistics are alarming. In Mercer County alone, nearly 50,000 people are food insecure, including roughly 11,000 children.

Homelessness in the county rose 34% last year. Meanwhile, prices have risen dramatically and the cost of housing continues to climb faster than the rate of pay. In a city like Trenton, where 27% of people are already living below the poverty line, the effect is even more dramatic.

At TASK, we have seen the impact on children and seniors, but we have also observed a significant impact on working families.

It is imperative for TASK to listen to those we serve and ensure that we are responsive to their changing and increasingly urgent needs.

We will be a visible and vocal advocate for the individuals and families who rely on TASK, amplifying their voices and championing their dignity. We will continue to educate you on the issues our community is facing, ensuring that you feel informed and engaged in our shared vision.

We will embrace innovation and collaboration, welcoming fresh ideas and constructive dialogue on how to best fulfill our mission. To that end, please reach out to me at any time at ceo@trentonsoupkitchen.org. I welcome the opportunity to hear from you directly.

We will seek new opportunities for growth and to sustainably fund that expansion in service as we respond to the increasing needs in our community.

TASK’s 2024 Community Impact Report the progress we’ve made over the past year, and I invite you to reflect on the impact we’ve achieved together. Your generosity, dedication and partnership fuel our mission and we thank you for your role in making that impact possible. Together, we have indeed been a force.

Although I cannot predict all that the future holds, I am grateful to work alongside you and the TASK team to continue turning hunger into hope for so many.