Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies Ministries is a food pantry for the needy started by Reverend Harry Christie in 1984 in the basement of Princeton Presbyterian Church. the organization has been in continuous operation since that time. Following Rev. Christie’s retirement in 1996, the Greater Princeton Ministerial Association sanctioned Tender Mercies; an independent board of directors was formed, and included representation from various Princeton area churches. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.

After using an interim donated location, the Tender Mercies Board of Directors purchased the present building at 4001 West Main Street in Princeton in July 1999. This permanent facility is used to store food, re-package bulk items, keep records, and distribute food to those in need. This facility and its surrounding property is expected to provide sufficient space for foreseeable future requirements.

Tender Mercies is primarily a volunteer organization—only the full-time director is paid. Area churches, individuals, businesses, civic organizations and the Greater Princeton Ministerial Association provide support. Tender Mercies supplies an assortment of grocery items to those in need in the Princeton area three days a week. Volunteers serve in an atmosphere of kindness and compassion to distribute a nutritious variety of food to supplement what the recipients might already have.

Among those receiving help are single mothers (many with minimum wage jobs) and senior citizens on fixed incomes; others include community members who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, or welfare. Volunteers screen each applicant and prepare food boxes with a variety of items according to family size. On average, Tender Mercies provided food to 509 families per month in 2007.

The tables below detail the positive impact that Tender Mercies has on its community.

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