Tender Mercies Ministries is a food pantry for the needy started by Reverend Harry Christie on June 5, 1983 in the basement of Princeton Presbyterian Church. We have 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. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. 

            After using an interim donated location, the Tender Mercies Board of Directors purchased the present building in July 1999. This permanent facility is used to store food, re-package bulk items, keep records, and distribute food to those in need. We anticipate that our building and its surrounding property will provide sufficient space for our foreseeable requirements. 

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

            Among those we 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.