Princeton Area Community Foundation Supports the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK)

The Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) has announced that TASK has been awarded a $25,000 grant for operating support. The Princeton Area Community Foundation builds community by promoting and encouraging philanthropy across greater Mercer County and central New Jersey. Funding for this grant to TASK will go to support the soup kitchen's mission: Providing meals to all those who are hungry; Providing services to encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life; Informing the wider community of the needs of the hungry; Advocating for resources to meet these needs.

TASK serves a hot, nutritious lunch Monday through Friday and an evening meal Monday through Thursday from the main Escher Street location. TASK also serves dinner Monday through Thursday at satellite locations in South Trenton and West Trenton. TASK is serving over 3,500 meals per week. In 2009 alone, TASK will have served more than 180,000 meals.

In addition to meal service, TASK has programming to improve patron self sufficiency and quality of life. TASK's Adult Education Program (AEP) continues to have success with students who have not prospered in other programs. More than 90 students and some 45 volunteer tutors are involved in the program. The TASK AEP provides tutoring in literacy, basic math, GED preparation and computer skills. TASK also provides the services of a full-time, on-site social worker. Those who come to TASK include the elderly, the addicted, the mentally ill, the physically challenged, veterans, recent immigrants, families with children, the working poor, and the newly unemployed. Thank you to PACF for this generous support.