On Your Mark – Newsletter – Volume 8, Issue 2

The Quarterly Newsletter of Fisherman’s Mark

What’s Happening Now At The Mark: Summer At The Mark

Summer may be a slow season for many, but not for the staff and volunteers at Fisherman’s Mark – particularly not this summer. 

This year, our Feed Local Youth (FLY) program distributed more than a thousand lunches. Conceived as a summer program, FLY was extended into the 2020 school year to provide weekend lunches for students who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Funding for this initiative was kick-started by an angel donor who offered a challenge grant – just one example of how members of this community have met the increased demand for food and other services in this time of coronavirus.

Our program Farmstand returned, providing fresh produce as well as other healthy foods that Fisherman’s Mark promotes year-round. A seasonal favorite among clients and staff, Farmstead is made possible through the generosity of local farms and businesses such as Rolling Harvest, Basil Bandwagon, and Grow a Row.

Every summer, donors and volunteers make our annual backpack program a success. As a result of their efforts this year, 140 students headed to school toting backpacks that teemed with school supplies. Welcomed by children in any year, this year these backpacks meant one less insecurity in a time full of unknowns about what the school year would hold.

Fisherman’s Mark also added two civic efforts to its array of services this summer. 

The people of our city deserve the governmental resources due them. That’s why we promoted participation in the 2020 Census in partnership with the City of Lambertville and the United Way. Our agency’s standing in the community – and particularly our close ties with the Latino community – made us a natural point of contact for anyone with concerns or questions about the Census. 

Fisherman’s Mark also worked to get out the vote. Our tireless staff shared information about mail-in ballots and polling locations with clients and urged all who were qualified to register and vote on November 3.

Spotlight On Supporters:

Anton’s at the Swan
Barney Stone Glass and Kinetics
Basil Bandwagon
Bear Tavern Elementary School
Bloof Books
Blue Fish Grill
Bomba’s
Buckingham Friends School
buckscountyartisans
Cabbage Throw Farm
Caffe Galleria
Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty
Carversville Christian Church, UCC
Crossing Insurance Group
Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce
DogDaddy,Inc
Eric Mintal Quartet
FACT Bucks County
First Baptist Church
First National Bank of Newtown
Flemington Rotary
Fox and Roach Charities
Fox Run Preserve of New Hope
Free Public Library of Lambertville
Friendly Sons of Patrick of
Hunterdon County
Fulper Farms
George Prall Trust
Giant Food Stores
Glenn Davis@Benchmark Lending
Glenn Ricci Salon
Goldsmith’s
GP Boyle & Associates. LLP
Grow A Row
Heath’s Auto Service
Hibernia Fire Company #2
Highland Gourmet
Hopewell Valley Car Wash
Hunt Family Preserve, LLC,
Hunterdon County Assessors Association
Hunterdon County Democratic Committee
I Support The Girls
Jersey Girlz LLC
Kalmaia Club
Keller Williams New Hope
Kristina Gibb Photography
Lambertville Animal Welfare
Lambertville Area Chamber
of Commerce
Lambertville Fire Dept
Liberty Hall Pizza
Local Wisdom
Manoff Market Gardens
McCaffrey’s
Melson’s Service Center, INC
Michael Burns Architect
New Hope Body Care
New Hope Celebrates
New Hope Eagle Fire Department
New Hope Pet Center
New Hope Solebury Boys
Basketball Team
New Hope Solebury Food Coalition
New Hope Solebury Support Staff
and Teachers Union Members
Niece’s Lumber
North Hunterdon Rotary Club
Novi Wealth Partners
O’Brien Woodworking
Olive-N-Grape
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Penn Valley Constructors, Inc.
Pet Valu 5911
Profeta Farms
Ralph Fey AIA Architects
River Valley Realty
Rockaway Reformed Church
Rockwood Wealth Management
Rojo’s Roastery
Rolling Harvest
Rotary Club of Lambertville
Saturday Eye Openers
Schumacher and Associates
Shop Rite of Flemington
Silverman Gallery
Solebury School
Spices Fund
St. John the Evangelist Church
Stockton Fire Company
The Historic Carversville Society
The Lucky Cupcake Company
The Pod Shop
The Women of Rock Creek Woods
Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church
Trenton Animals Rock
Trenton Ave. Rescue
Trinity Episcopal Church
Twin Rivertowns Project, Inc.
Union Jack
United Way Of Hunterdon County
Village II New Hope
Washington Crossing United Methodist Church
Wawa
Weiss Supermarkets
Woolverton Inn
Zanya Spa Salon

Thank you to ALL of our supporters especially our individuals and foundations. Our sincerest apologies if we missed anyone. We are grateful for everyone’s support.

Making Your Mark: Linda Meacham Excellence in Volunteerism Award

Pushpa Inbasekaran

The Fisherman’s Mark committee charged with choosing the inaugural “Linda Meacham Volunteer of the Year” had no easy task. Dedication and passion for the agency’s mission are common among volunteers. Honoree Pushpa Inbasekaran was chosen for her thirteen years of service and her abiding commitment to the mission of giving help when it is needed. 

Pushpa volunteers at the Food Pantry and assists with essential administrative duties. She has the heart to form close ties with clients and the head to track statistics and produce data that are essential to securing grants that sustain our clients. 

In her congratulatory remarks, Linda Meacham, who volunteered with Fisherman’s Mark before becoming its ED in 2011, said Pushpa embodies the qualities of “professionalism, commitment, friendship, continuity.” She cited Pushpa’s assistance on grant submissions as key to putting the agency in a much stronger financial position. She opened her speech by quoting the well-known statement from Margaret Mead that a small group of committed, thoughtful citizens such as Pushpa and her fellow volunteers can change the world. 

Pushpa’s knowledge about Fisherman’s Mark and her compassion greatly impressed Abigail Meletti when she joined us as Social Services Manager. Pushpa schooled Abigail on the workings of the Food Pantry and introduced her to the many clients she knew. In nominating Pushpa for the Volunteer Award, Abigail noted that Pushpa accords all Fisherman’s Mark clients the dignity they deserve. Though a volunteer, she functions like a member of the staff. 

Pushpa regards her time with Fisherman’s Mark as a gift. “Over the last 13 years, I have had the chance to work with so many people at Fisherman’s Mark whom I admire very much. I am very proud of our mission and I look forward to contributing for many years to come.” It is telling that she uses the pronoun “our” in speaking about Fisherman’s Mark. 

Current Fisherman’s Mark Executive Director Jennifer Williford had this to say: “Pushpa is one of our longest serving volunteers. We hope that she will continue with us for many more years. She is truly an asset who brings great energy to the staff and other volunteers.” 

Beyond The Food Pantry

When full-priced private education is not an option for the children of local working parents, there’s Lambertville Academy. 

You may not know about this essential Fisherman’s Mark program or, if you do, you may not know the depth and breadth of the early education programs it has provided since 1984. 

Parents can choose pre-school for children 3-5 years of age or morning and after-school programs for children pre-K to 6th grade. Its dedicated instructors teach a cross-disciplinary curriculum that includes science, mathematics, language arts, creative arts, social studies, technology, health, and physical education. Healthy and energizing food that supports learning is provided. 

Lambertville Academy’s programs are year-round and structured to bring children into the larger community. The Birdhouse Center for the Arts and Roxey Ballet teach music and dance. The children are welcomed by the men and women who work at our firehouses, post offices, and animal hospitals (for example) on field trips. 

Lambertville Academy is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and conforms to the standards set by the New Jersey Department of Education for pre-school learning.

If you’d like to know more or if you’d like to support its work, please let us know.