Fisherman’s Mark: Festival means help

 Once again this year, a large portion of the proceeds from the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival will benefit Fisherman's Mark.

  Fisherman's Mark is a Lambetville based social service organization that has helped thousands of individuals and families from six counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

  This year's winter festival will be held on January 14th and from Jan. 25 to 29. 

 ”Fisherman’s Mark has been helping families by putting food on their tables and advocating for those who need support for over 30 years,” a Winter Festival spokesperson said.

   ”Now they need our help to provide meals for hungry families in our community. The holiday season puts extra stress on families. As temperatures drop and the days get darker, heating and electricity bills jump higher. In winter months, demand at the food pantry climbs to over 1,000 individuals a month,” the spokesman said.    The Winter Festival committee also will place donation canisters for non-perishable food at each of its major events.

   Last year, the Winter Festival’s holiday fundraiser provided $1,000 to Fisherman’s Mark, located at 89 N. Main St., Lambertville.

   ”We encourage everyone to try to make a tax-deductible donation directly to Fisherman’s Mark, to ensure that no one is turned away in their hour of need,” the Winterfest spokesperson said. “A donation of $20 will pay for 105 pounds of food from a food bank to stock the food pantry’s shelves.”

   Any size donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made on the Winter Festival website www.winterfestival.net/fishermansmark.html.

   “WE’RE THRILLED about what the Winter Festival continues to do for us,” said Gina Davio, program director for socials services at Fisherman’s Mark. “Their monetary contributions and contributions of food are important not only because of their direct benefit, but because they really raise awareness of the programs they offer.”

   Fisherman’s Mark offers many programs besides the food pantry.

   Its Lambertville Academy holds a summer camp and offers child care for pre-schoolers. Los Puentes (The Bridges) is a community outreach program for Latinos. Ms. Davio, who’s been at Fisherman’s Mark since 2004, plays a major role there. She’s fluent in Spanish.

   Fisherman’s Mark also gives advice and referrals to individuals and families with all sorts of problems. “We’ve helped people who need energy assistance, who are at risk of eviction, who need help with a security deposit and many other issues,” Ms. Davio said. “It could be an elderly person who needs help with his/her mail and paying their bills, because they aren’t able to do it themselves anymore.”

   Fisherman’s Mark also has a volunteer program. “A lot of people from all over the area have gotten involved with that as a way of giving back,” Ms. Davio said. “They’ve worked in the food pantry, worked as tutors in our literacy lab and done lots of other things.”

   Ms. Davio said the food pantry at Fisherman’s Mark is open for much longer hours than other food pantries. “We’re here from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,” she said.