The Alchemist & Barrister Talks Turkey With Thanksgiving Fundraiser Ongoing Fund Raising Efforts Will Benefit A&B's New Charity Mercer Street Friends Food Bank

Princeton, November 19-----The Alchemist & Barrister is talking turkey this month with a hunger-fighting fundraiser that benefits the restaurant's new charity, The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. Patrons of Princeton's iconic bar and restaurant can contribute to the effort to fight hunger in Mercer County by donating canned goods, and by buying paper turkey's containing an anti-hunger message to be posted throughout the bar. Paper turkeys are available for a donation of $2 for one or $5 for three. New boxes are now up on the patio next to the reception desk where patrons can drop off canned goods, including items that will help put a turkey dinner on the tables of many Mercer County families. Patrons are asked to contribute cranberry sauce, packages of stuffing and mashed potatoes, broth, canned fruits and vegetables and gravy mix.

The A&B's General Manager, Amanda Armenante is organizing the campaign. "This week is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month" she notes, "and we hope to help raise awareness of the problems of hunger, in our own community, not just a during the holidays, but year round."

The A&B is known for its community involvement, especially during the annual Longbeard Contest and St. Patrick's Day Celebration that raises funds for a selected local charity. "We felt that by focusing on a single charity throughout the year, we could do more to raise money and awareness." says Executive Chef/Owner, Arthur Kukoda. Plans are underway for the months ahead, marking Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day and some exciting new additions to the A&B's legendary Celtic Celebration on March 17, 2014. The Alchemist & Barrister is located at 28 Witherspoon Street in the heat of Princeton. Call 609-924-5555. 

The Food Bank supplies over 2.5 million pounds of food each year to more than 60 organizations in Mercer County including the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), Homefront, Crisis Ministry, and The Rescue Mission of Trenton, that feed over 25,000 people at risk for hunger. The Food Bank is part of Mercer Street Friends, a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian human care organization, providing compassionate and practical solutions to the problems of poverty and health.
 
"One of many reasons we chose Mercer Street Friends is the scope and effectiveness of their programs," says Arthur Kukoda. "There are so many opportunities for our staff members to be involved - not just in terms of fund raising but volunteering to help at the Food Bank and raising awareness about the problems of hunger right here in our community." About The Mercer Street Food Bank

 Since 1987, the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank has been leading the community response to hunger in Mercer County. The Food Bank originated with a simple aim: to link donated food to people in need. Today it is the largest source of government and privately donated food in Mercer County. The organization channel's 2.5 million pounds of food and groceries annually to 60 charitable food providers, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. The efficient and effective food donation and distribution system is a vital community link ensuring that people in need can access free groceries and wholesome meals from a charitable food provider in their neighborhood.
 

The outreach programs link food insecure individuals and families to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, summer feeding sites and other hunger prevention program and resources, and their nutritionist provides education on healthy eating with a particular focus on combating childhood obesity.