From the Desk of Jennifer Williford, Executive Director
At Fisherman’s Mark, we believe that building a resilient and connected community takes all of us working together. Our strength lies in the power of neighbors helping neighbors, creating a network of meaningful support that benefits the broader community. And you—our supporters and partners—are an essential part of that mission.
As the holiday season approaches, the importance of coming together as a community feels even more significant. It’s a time when we reflect on what we are grateful for and extend a helping hand to those in need. When you partner with Fisherman’s Mark, you help create real, lasting change. Together, we move beyond challenges to provide crucial resources, care, and opportunities for everyone who walks through our doors. Whether it’s food from our Free MARKet, access to social services, tuition assistance at Lambertville Academy, or even just a compassionate conversation, you make it possible to meet the needs of our neighbors in ways that truly matter.
In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll find valuable information about our impactful programs, get to know our volunteers, and gain an understanding of the impact of our work. As we prepare for the season of giving, we invite you to get involved—whether by joining us for an event, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word about the resources we provide. Your generosity and support mean so much during this time of year, bringing hope and warmth to those who need it most.
As we look ahead, we’re excited about what we can continue to accomplish together. Won’t you join us in creating a community where everyone can thrive?
With gratitude and warm holiday wishes,
Jennifer Williford
Executive Director
Fisherman's Mark Launches Comprehensive Needs Assessment
Fisherman’s Mark is excited to announce a new Needs Assessment to uncover unmet needs within the community. This initiative will gather input from program participants, business owners, community leaders, and nonprofit partners to better understand challenges across various sectors. “It has been over five years since our last assessment, and much has changed in that time,” said Executive Director Jennifer Williford. “We believe it’s crucial to adapt to the evolving environment and ensure that our programs align with the needs of those we serve.”
Starting in mid-November, we will use surveys, focus groups, and interviews to collect insights. Business owners will share workforce challenges, program participants will reveal issues like housing and health, and community leaders and members will offer their perspectives on the needs they see daily.
The value of these tools is already evident. A recent survey among Free MARKet participants identified disparities in health concerns, with English speakers reporting issues like high cholesterol and Spanish speakers citing diabetes as a primary concern. This data will be shared with partners to explore new health initiatives.
Focus groups with the Latino community also highlighted the need for structured ESL classes, which have become part of our programming. Additionally, informal conversations with guests at the Free MARKet revealed housing challenges, which led to a successful Renters’ Rights event in collaboration with River Valley Realty. “These conversations highlight the value of listening,” said Ricardo Zapata, Director of Operations. “They often guide us toward new solutions and partnerships.”
At Fisherman’s Mark, our work is guided by our commitment to assessing community needs and responding with thoughtful, effective programming. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn directly from the people we serve and collaborate with partners who share our passion for creating positive change. Together, we will continue building programs that uplift and empower, ensuring that our community thrives.
Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating Our Amazing Free MARKet Crews
At Fisherman’s Mark, our volunteers are the heart of our Free MARKet food pantry, ensuring that community members receive the nourishment they need with care and compassion. We are thrilled to spotlight our five incredible volunteer crews, who dedicate their time week after week to make a difference.
Each crew serves on a different day of the week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, as well as Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. They arrive an hour before the pantry opens to ensure the shelves are well-stocked, donations are neatly shelved, and everything is ready to serve our neighbors. When the doors open, they get to work fulfilling the grocery orders filled out by our program participants. Using a special “menu” of items, participants select the essentials they need, with limits based on household size. Meanwhile, volunteers carefully pack grocery bags and return them to participants, who have been shopping for fresh produce and other items in the open shelf section.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life—retirees, business owners, professionals, and community members who generously give their time. Some of them take on additional volunteer roles, while others dedicate their efforts to just one day each week. Regardless of their backgrounds, what unites them is their unwavering dedication to the mission of Fisherman’s Mark. They approach their work with compassion, understanding, and a non-judgmental attitude, ensuring that every participant feels respected and valued.
It is through their collective efforts that we can meet the needs of our
neighbors in a meaningful way. These dedicated individuals are truly the best of the best, bringing their kindness and energy to the Free MARKet week after week, month after month, and year after year. We are deeply grateful for all they do and we are honored to have them as part of our family!
Monday Volunteer Crew: Tom Nagle, Doug Shaw, Jessica Saltstein, Cheryl Wnek, Rene Marinich, Carol Barletti-Villa, Angela Strohmeier & Emil Ciccotelli
Tuesday Volunteer Crew: Cyndy Jahn, Jack Lynch , David Newhart, Cathy Lester
Wednesday Volunteer Crew: William Horruitner, Brian Morrison, Andrew Kind-Rubin, Ellen Gibson, Dawn Alpaugh, Janet Koehler, John Seidler, Felix Maldonado, Ken Bogen
Thursday Volunteer Crew: Thursday Volunteer Crew: Dan Gramkee, Scott Kleinbart, Roy Beeler, Andrew Budwig. Front row: Heidi Rappaport, Lindsay Gallagher, Pushpa Inbasekaran, Ruth Nicolich
Friday Volunteer Crew I: Amy Connelly, Liz Herrick, John Seidler, Peggy Rickles, Sherry Campbell
Friday Volunteer Crew II: Katie Michels, Kathy Kennerley , John Seidler, Peggy Rickles, Sherry Campbell
Program Spotlight: Pet Food Pantry
A Collaboration Between Fisherman's Mark and Lambertville Animal Welfare
At Fisherman’s Mark, we recognize that pets are often more than companions—they’re beloved family members, especially for seniors or families facing financial challenges. Our Pet Food Pantry ensures that no one has to make the difficult choice between feeding their pets or themselves. In partnership with Lambertville Animal Welfare (LAW), this initiative has provided pet food support to our community since 2016, and the need has only grown over the years.
We spoke with Lori Stagnitto from Lambertville Animal Welfare to learn more about the origins of the pantry, how it operates, and the ongoing need for support.
Q&A with Lori Stagnitto, Lambertville Animal Welfare
Q: Tell us about the partnership between Lambertville Animal Welfare and Fisherman’s Mark. How did it come about?
A: Lambertville Animal Welfare (LAW) was formed 15 years ago as a community collaboration to help residents with lost and found pets, outdoor community cats, and pet or wildlife needs. We also have a Senior cats for Senior citizens program that we are very proud of, and we will do nearly anything animal-related throughout the community. About nine years ago, we learned from an elderly resident that she relied on Fisherman’s Mark for food and collected as much tuna as possible—not for herself, but to feed her indoor and outdoor cats.
Fisherman's Mark News Bulletin
Know Your Rights Event
In partnership with Immigrants’ Rights Action, United Way, and the Lambertville Police Department, we recently hosted a Know Your Rights event. This informative session offered guidance on immigration rights, housing issues, and more, equipping attendees with essential knowledge to navigate these challenges. Stay tuned for more collaborative events aimed at empowering our community.
Impact 100 Grant Update
We are proud to share that we recently applied for the Impact100 Hunterdon Grant to expand our Recipe for Success program. Although we weren’t selected as the finalist, the effort demonstrates our commitment to securing external funding to grow our impact. Through this process, we’ve renewed our focus on building partnerships and pursuing new opportunities to strengthen our programs and serve the community.
Save a Life Day
Fisherman’s Mark was honored to participate in Save a Life Day, a life-saving event focused on distributing Narcan kits and providing overdose prevention training. The day was filled with meaningful interactions, equipping attendees with the knowledge and tools to make a difference in our community. We look forward to continuing our work to combat the opioid crisis.
Coffee with a Cop
We recently hosted Coffee with a Cop, an event designed to build stronger relationships between residents and local law enforcement. Attendees had the opportunity to meet officers, ask questions, and share concerns in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to enjoy a cup of coffee and engage in meaningful conversations.