To the Editor:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Send Hunger Packing Princeton (SHUPP), we extend our sincere appreciation to Ross Wishnick, whose leadership and vision have guided this organization since he founded it in 2013 to address food insecurity among Princeton’s youngest residents.
Ross established SHUPP with a powerful and enduring goal which translated into our tagline: “Because a child should hunger for knowledge, not for breakfast.” What began with teachers filling backpacks each Friday with shelf-stable food for the weekend has grown, under his guidance, into a comprehensive set of programs that reflect both the evolving needs of our community and SHUPP’s commitment to dignity and access. Today, SHUPP delivers nearly 35,000 pounds of fresh produce each year to Princeton schoolchildren, provides nutritious snacks in the schools so no child has to go hungry during the day, and supports families by stocking and maintaining free pantries around town, cultivating community gardens open to all, and operating a summer farmer’s market.
The Board is deeply grateful for Ross’s dedication, his ability to build strong and lasting partnerships with key organizations in town, and his unwavering focus on the students and families at the heart of our mission. His work has touched the lives of countless children and their families and has created a model of support that will continue to serve Princeton for years to come. We are also grateful that Ross will continue to lend his experience and leadership as a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.
As I assume the role of president, I do so with deep appreciation for the foundation Ross established and with a commitment to advancing the mission he championed. The Board remains dedicated to carrying this work forward with the same vigor, integrity, care, and community partnership that have defined SHUPP since its inception.
We thank Ross for his vision, his leadership, and his enduring contributions to Princeton. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, volunteers, donors, and the Princeton community, whose steadfast support makes this work possible. SHUPP’s impact is a shared effort, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone who joins us in ensuring that every child in our community has the nourishment they need to learn and thrive.