Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit supporting the community as the food bank for Mercer County and through family and education programs, hosted its Fifth Annual Leadership Awards Celebration, presented by Grand Sponsor Bank of America, this past Tuesday at its food bank warehouse in Ewing.
The event was attended by more than 200 people and honored the individuals and organizations whose contributions to Mercer Street Friends’ mission have nourished minds, strengthened bodies, and empowered families and communities. The 2025 honorees were Bank of America, Corporate Leadership & Public Service Award; Phyllis Stoolmacher, Humanitarian Award; and Dan Rodgers, Robert M. Appelbaum Service Award.
“It’s an honor to celebrate our three remarkable awardees this evening – each of whom has played a unique role in shaping who Mercer Street Friends is today,” said Bernie Flynn, CEO, Mercer Street Friends.
Bank of America, a longstanding partner and supporter of Mercer Street Friends, has invested in local initiatives, and helped create pathways for New Jersey residents to achieve stability and thrive. Since 2019, more than 400 of the bank’s employees have contributed over 502,000 volunteer hours to support New Jersey nonprofits, including at Mercer Street Friends.
“Our team first got involved with Mercer Street Friends many years ago, recognizing that quality food, shelter and support are all needed for a brighter future,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey.
Phyllis Stoolmacher launched and led the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank for 30 years, fostering the Food Bank as it grew to the primary provider of food to anti-hunger programs in Mercer County.
“I witnessed firsthand the real impact that access to food can have on families’ lives,” said Stoolmacher. “Work that began decades ago, continues today. It’s been an honor to contribute to such a powerful and compassionate organization.”
Dan Rodgers is the Henry Charles Lea Professor of History Emeritus at Princeton University. He served on the Mercer Street Friends Board of Trustees for 18 years, including four as board chair.
“Mercer Street Friends stands out for its holistic approach to strengthening communities. It recognizes that poverty is not caused by a single factor, but by a complex web of challenges – including access to nutrition, quality education, social support and resources for parents. Mercer Street Friends is a model for how community-based organizations can create lasting change,” said Rodgers.
Additional event sponsors included Benefit Sponsors NJM Insurance Group and Anne Irwin & Bob Holt; and Awards Sponsors Capital Health and Ann & Bernie Flynn.
Mercer Street Friends is a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to nourishing minds and bodies, empowering families, and communities by providing comprehensive programs to address poverty and the physical and emotional trauma it creates for children, families and the community.
