Montgomery’s Largest Food Pantry to Close in September: Ellen Robbins Reflects on Years of Service

By Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY — A cornerstone of local food relief will close its doors this September as Ellen Robbins, founder and operator of the food pantry at the Princeton Elks Lodge, steps back from the role she’s carried largely on her own since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s just time,” Robbins said in a recent interview. “I’m exhausted. It’s been a long four years. This pantry began as a response to the urgent, uncertain days of COVID-19, but while the emergency has passed, the number of families struggling with food insecurity in our town has only grown.”

Operating entirely as a volunteer, Robbins has managed the pantry single-handedly, often dedicating over 40 hours a week to keep it running. “It’s truly become more than a full-time job,” she said. “I’m deeply grateful to the volunteers who’ve been able to offer two or three hours a week over the last couple of years — their help has meant so much.”

As for the decision to close in September rather than at the end of the school year, Robbins said it was a deliberate choice. “Most of the families we serve have children enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program,” she explained. “When schools close in June, that lifeline disappears. I want to make sure the kids have plenty of food and snacks during the summer months.”

The pantry officially began in December 2020, as an effort by the Princeton Elks to provide holiday meals. Thanks to an overwhelming outpouring of community support, they were able to offer recipients a full week’s worth of food and gifts. That momentum continued with the first food drive held at ShopRite in December of that year. Since then, the pantry has quietly grown into the largest in Montgomery Township, now serving approximately 45 families — about 150 individuals. Housed within the Princeton Elks Lodge in Skillman, the pantry faces unique logistical challenges, particularly when it comes to volunteer support. “It’s not like just anyone can walk in and help,” Robbins explained. “You have to be a member, or accompanied by one, to be in the building — and there just hasn’t been the manpower.”

Despite those limitations, Robbins established a thriving and impactful operation that offered far more than just non-perishable goods. Through key partnerships — including St. Charles Borromeo Church’s “Garden of Mercy” for fresh produce, Drake’s Farm for eggs, and support from local retailers — the pantry was uniquely able to provide fresh, refrigerated items that many pantries cannot. When monetary donations were received, Robbins often took it upon herself to purchase fresh chicken and produce, ensuring the families she served had access to nutritious, well-rounded meals. “That’s really what made us different from the pantry at the Otto Kaufman Community Center,” Robbins said, referring to the township-run pantry. “They do great work, but their refrigerators are owned by the county and can’t be used for storing food. That means no fresh items. We could do that here.”

Robbins and her wife, Montgomery native Carol Raymond, are both deeply rooted in community service. And while the pantry’s closure will mark the end of an era, Robbins made clear she’s not stepping away from public service — just shifting her focus.

Currently enrolled in EMT training to start in September, Robbins said the rigorous coursework requires her full attention. “Failing is not an option,” she said. “That’s where I need to direct my energy right now.”

Still, her commitment to food security in Montgomery remains steadfast. She plans to continue working closely with the township, including the team at the Otto Kaufman Center and the incoming replacement for longtime Community resource Manager Denise Crowley, who recently retired. Robbins also has plans to support holiday meal efforts and to assist residents at Montgomery Crossing, where she notes 40% of the population is wheelchair-bound, disabled or have no transportation to visit any food pantry..

“Holiday meals have always meant more to me than just one dinner,” she said. “To me, it’s about making sure people have enough food for several days. That’s the kind of work I’ll continue to do — even if I’m no longer running the pantry.”

As the September closure date approaches, Robbins hopes the community recognizes the need for sustained support and steps up in new ways.

“I’m not going away,” she said. “It’s just not in me to stop helping where I can.”

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com