Yes We CAN! Food Drives

What is Yes We CAN!?

Yes We CAN! is the name of a group of volunteers who seek to alleviate hunger in our area by holding food drives at local markets. The collected donations are used to purchase fresh produce from farmers and shelf stable items at the markets. The collected food is then donated to Arm In Arm to supply its food pantries in Princeton and Trenton.

How Do the Food Drives Operate?

Throughout the year, Yes We CAN! sponsors food drives in partnership with generous food markets and farmers markets:

• McCaffrey’s Markets in Princeton & West Windsor
• West Windsor Community Farmers Market
• Pennington Quality Market
• Princeton Farmers Market

Volunteers staff the drives – As shoppers enter the food market or walk through the farmers markets, YWC! volunteers ask for a donation. Donations are usually fresh produce, non-perishable food or cash. Cash donations are used to purchase from the food markets or farmers. It’s a win for everyone–the store owners, the farmers, and Arm In Arm’s clients.

Yes We CAN! Makes a BIG Impact — Since 2008, volunteers have collected 347,450 pounds of fresh produce and nonperishable food from area shoppers. That’s 173 tons of food, making Yes We CAN! the largest single food drive donor to Arm In Arm.  

In 2025, Yes We CAN! collected donations to purchase 1,655 cases of produce and approximately 55 shopping carts filled with shelf stable food, which weighed a total of 47,450 pounds.  

We Need Volunteers!

Yes We CAN! needs volunteers to collect donations/food. Whether you volunteer once a year or many times, your service is greatly appreciated. For the volunteer, the experience is deeply gratifying knowing you have helped your neighbors in need and our YWC! community is friendly!  To find out more about volunteering and the collection schedule, email Alison Politziner at a.politziner@gmail.com.

Co-Chairs of Yes We CAN! 

Kim Kyte 

Alison Politziner

Susan Greene  

Yes We CAN! Collects Books!

Yes We CAN! also collects cardboard toddler books and picture books as well as early readers and grades 1 – 12 books and adult books.  The books are distributed weekly to the Hudson and Hanover Street pantries and clients are encouraged to take any books they would like for themselves or their families.  The books are always on a table outside the pantry. 

We are fortunate to have several “angels” who give us books for distribution.  However, we are always in need of picture books and toddler “cardboard books.”  If anyone would like to donate books, please contact Kimberly Kyte at kkyte76@gmail.com. A few more of our “angels” hand knit scarves and hats that are also distributed to Arm In Arm clients. If you’d like to knit for Arm In Arm’s clients, please reach out to Kimberly Kyte.

Please support our 2026 Yes We CAN! Food Drives