Princeton, NJ – July 15, 2024 – Share My Meals is thrilled to announce that we have received a $25,000 grant from the Burke Foundation to support our mission of providing nutritious food to underserved children and families in the Princeton area. This generous grant will enable us to provide seasonal fresh produce, pre-packaged food, eggs, baked goods, and recovered meals weekly to families involved with Princeton Nursery School and YWCA Princeton.
The Burke Foundation is known for investing in transformative early childhood initiatives to build a cycle of opportunity across generations. The mission of Share My Meals to combat food insecurity directly aligns with the Burke Foundation’s goal of supporting pregnant women, babies, and families with young children. Both organizations know that economic stressors on households, such as struggling to afford food, can undermine the well-being of a family.
“We’re excited to support this new partnership with Share My Meals so more children and families can have nutritious meals to support their health and growth during a critical window of early childhood development,” said Atiya Weiss, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation. “We appreciate that parents can pick up the food at a place they already visit regularly.”
“This partnership with the Burke Foundation will help Share My Meals expand to reach the families who need us most in our community,” said Hélène Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals. “We are thankful for the generosity of the Burke Foundation.”
The Burke Foundation grant will enhance Share My Meals’ infrastructure, allowing us to add refrigeration units at YWCA Princeton and Princeton Nursery School for more efficient food storage and distribution.
“Ensuring that every family has access to nutritious meals is fundamental to building a stronger, healthier community. By addressing food insecurity, we are not only alleviating hunger but also empowering families to thrive and children to grow with the dignity they deserve,” said Rose Wong, CEO of YWCA Princeton. “Together, with Share My Meals, we can make a profound impact on the lives of our families, removing the worry about where their next meal will come from. We are excited about this new partnership with Share My Meals and our ongoing relationship with the Burke Foundation.”
Princeton Nursery School’s Executive Director, Leanna Jahnke, added, “Parenthood can be challenging, particularly in these early preschool years, so providing accessible and targeted support to parents is part of our mission here at Princeton Nursery School. The partnership between the Burke Foundation and Share My Meals directly supports our families to ensure their children and family have access to nutritious meals in an equitable way by removing the financial burden, and the time and transportation barriers of grocery shopping.”
We are grateful for the Burke Foundation’s support and excited about this partnership with YWCA Princeton and Princeton Nursery School. This collaborative effort is a promising step towards combating food insecurity and promoting community health.
Rose Wong, YWCA Princeton Chief Executive Officer (left) and Tara O’Shea, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Director of Childcare and Programs
Zoe Fuller, Share My Meals volunteer, (left) and Sacheska Fuentes, Program Administrator and Family Liaison at Princeton Nursery School
