This fall marks a remarkable milestone for the Delaware Valley Food Pantry (DVFP), 70 years of feeding families and strengthening the community. What began in 1955 as a small church outreach has grown into a vital lifeline for hundreds of households predominantly in New Hope and Lambertville.
Today, the pantry, located at 1 Cherry St. in Lambertville, continues to thrive under the leadership of Board President Shanthy Krishnarajah, a New Hope resident who has been involved with the organization for the past four years. With a background in scientific research and a full-time position at Johnson & Johnson, Krishnarajah brings both professional discipline and heartfelt compassion to her volunteer role.
“It is so gratifying to volunteer here,” she said. “I feel so blessed to be in a community like ours that allows us to fulfill our mission to those in need.”
The Delaware Valley Food Pantry’s history is rooted in local faith and community service. It began as an outreach of local churches, operating for decades out of a small outbuilding owned by St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church on Bridge Street in Lambertville.
“The building at St. John’s had just a cement floor, no windows, no heat,” recalled one longtime volunteer in the pantry’s historical archives. “In the winter we wore hats and coats, and in the summer we broiled.”
In 2019, after years of searching, the pantry moved into its current location, a renovated laundromat with heat, air conditioning, and the electrical capacity needed for refrigeration. The transition was seamless, volunteers moved operations overnight to ensure no interruption in service.
But soon after, the pantry faced a series of challenges: COVID-19, flooding from Hurricane Ida, and the ongoing effects of inflation. Through it all, DVFP adapted. Volunteers distributed food outdoors during the pandemic and temporarily relocated to Centenary United Methodist Church after the 2021 floods. By 2023, the pantry was back at its Cherry Street location, stronger than ever.
On September 20, more than 100 people, including volunteers, donors, clients, and local leaders, gathered to celebrate the pantry’s 70th anniversary. The Lambertville Chamber of Commerce officially proclaimed the date “Delaware Valley Food Pantry Day,” and several resolutions were passed by PA State Rep. Tim Brennan, NJ State Senator Andrew Zwicker, NJ Senator Shirley Turner, NJ State Rep. Tom Kean Jr., and Lambertville Mayor Andrew Novak, recognizing the organization’s decades of service.
“We’ve weathered storms and pandemics and are still here, thriving,” Krishnarajah said proudly. “Seventy years ago, some amazing people came up with this idea, and to keep it going for all these years is truly remarkable.”
The pantry currently serves about 300 families (averaging 1,131 adults and children) per month, including nearly 50 new families this year alone, a sign, Krishnarajah said, of a growing need.
“Having 50 new families sign up in just nine months is significant,” she explained. “It’s unusual to see that much growth in such a short period of time.”
One of the most distinctive features of DVFP is its “client-choice” model. Unlike many food pantries that distribute pre-packed bags, DVFP allows clients to shop for their own groceries, from fresh produce and meats to toiletries and baby supplies.
“Our clients love being able to choose what they want,” Krishnarajah said. “It gives them a sense of self-respect and prevents food waste. Not everyone eats butternut squash or certain vegetables, so this way they only take what they’ll use.”
The pantry also provides fresh milk, eggs, butter, and 2–3 pounds of meat per week, including chicken, fish, beef, and sometimes venison. In response to client feedback, new items like spices, salt, pepper, and dental floss have been added to the shelves.
“We used to never ask clients what they wanted,” Krishnarajah said. “But now we do surveys, and we’ve learned so much just by asking. It’s about listening and evolving.”
Though entirely volunteer-run, with just one part-time staff member, the pantry operates with the precision of a professional organization. About 60 volunteers help keep things running smoothly, from stocking shelves to handling logistics. Roughly 10% of those volunteers are students from the New Hope-Solebury School District.
“The students walk away really appreciating what they have when they see what others don’t,” said Krishnarajah. “It’s eye-opening for them. It also shows them that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.”
In recognition of that youth involvement, the pantry recently voted to add a student seat to its board of directors.
“We want these kids to have a stake in what we do,” Krishnarajah explained. “They bring new ideas, new energy, and generational thinking. They’re the future leaders of this area.”
The pantry has also embraced technology. In the past, volunteers recorded client names and reports by hand. Now, thanks to a tech-savvy board member, the entire operation, from scheduling to reporting, is automated and paperless.
As the holiday season approaches, the Delaware Valley Food Pantry is busier than ever. Local grocery partners like Giant, McCaffrey’s, ShopRite, and Wawa provide a steady stream of donations, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Giant usually donates about 50 turkeys to us for Thanksgiving,” Krishnarajah shared. “McCaffrey’s donates hams, some for free and others at a discount. One year, an anonymous donor even reimbursed us for what we paid for the discounted hams. That’s the kind of generosity we see here.”
Before Thanksgiving, the pantry surveys clients to ask what they’d like for their holiday meal, turkey, ham, or chicken, and ensures each family receives their preferred option, along with traditional sides like cranberry sauce, stuffing, and green beans.
“None of our clients go without for the holidays,” she said. “We even have gluten-free and salt-free options to make sure everyone can celebrate.”
The pantry works closely with Fisherman’s Mark, another local food pantry in Lambertville.
“I call them our sister pantry,” said Krishnarajah. “If we have too much meat, they lend us freezer space. They even let us use their van to pick up groceries. It’s a true partnership.”
While Fisherman’s Mark offers social services, DVFP’s strength lies in its personal touch and Saturday hours, which are especially convenient for working families.
“It costs us only $25 to feed a family of four for a week,” Krishnarajah noted. “So one person’s lunch can feed a whole family for a week. A little generosity goes a long way.”
Through decades of change, from the church basement to the Cherry Street facility, through floods, pandemics, and inflation, the Delaware Valley Food Pantry has remained steadfast in its mission: to feed those in need with dignity, compassion, and respect.
“Our pantry has been a savior for so many of our clients,” Krishnarajah reflected. “We’ve seen families, seniors, even homeless youth who rely on us. This work reminds us that hunger exists everywhere, even in communities that appear affluent.”
“We’ve come a long way in 70 years,” she said. “And as long as there are people in need, we’ll be here—feeding families, one week at a time.”
To make a donation, volunteer your time or for more information about the Delaware Valley Food Pantry, visit delawarevalleyfoodpantry.org/.
