12th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot Raises $48,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food assistance and programs, announces that a record-breaking $48,000 was raised by more than 1,000 runners and 60 sponsors at this year’s annual Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving Morning, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. 

The fundraising supports programs and services that assist more than 1,300 individuals and families and surpasses last year’s fundraising effort of $37,000. Organized in conjunction with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Franklin, this is the twelfth year for the family-friendly fun run, which welcomed participants of all levels and abilities.

ready for the Turkey Trot!

“Fundraising events like the Turkey Trot help provide The Pantry with much-needed funds to purchase nutritious food and essential goods for neighbors in need,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “We are grateful to all who participated in this year's fun run and our wonderful sponsors who raised nearly $18,000 to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.” 

The Franklin Food Pantry is grateful for the following organizations and individuals who served as this year’s race sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: MyFM 101.3, LDS Church Franklin, Next9Up, Physician One, bLuxe, G&C Plumbing and Heating, Notturo Plumbing and Heating, Terrazza, Raillery Public House, Middlesex Bank. 

Gold Sponsors: Capstan Atlantic, Paul A. Longobardi & Sons Trucking, Franklin Knights of Columbus, Mount Street Farm, Eagle Stainless Tube, Dean Bank, Spiffy Designs, VetMed Pet Supplies, Franklin Pizza and Deli. 

Silver Sponsors: Franklin Matters, The Baur Family, Mint Dental, Keefe Insurance, Simons, Vendetti Motors, Emmons St. LLC, Starr and Glick Orthodontics, The Adirondack Club, Hilltop Auto, The Sabolinski Family, Grove Street Auto Repair, Nutrify Performance Nutrition for Women, LLC, Custom Kitchens, Gloria Meredith Photography, Xpressions Print, Accurate Baker Elman. 

Friends Sponsors: Donahue Family, Chestnut Dental, Bradosky Family, DRR Contracting, Pool Pals, Lobo Family, Campbell Family, Tait/Shimer/Shanks Family, Fitzgerald Family, Schmitt Family, Whitmore Family, O'Neill Family, Franklin Interfaith Council, Van Roon Chiropractic, Johnson Family, Zicherman Family, Powderly Family, Bergen Family, Normandin Family, Wicked Fitness Franklin, Sompally Family, and Sancher Family.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks the following local businesses and partners who provided food for race day morning: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Elizabeth’s Bagels, Garelick Farms, Shaw’s Supermarket, Stop & Shop Supermarket.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks the following local business and partners who provided door prizes for the event: Franklin Honey, Allegra Marketing, Aubrey Greene Photography, Julie Arace Photography, Learning Express Toys, Showcase Dance Photography, Luna’s Flower Shop, The Rome Restaurant, PT Color Market, Wicked Fitness, Target, Elizabeth’s Bagels, K Cooks, 3 Restaurant, Mama Barba’s Bake Shop, The Chateau, Fiori & Fern, Altitude Trampoline Park, Level 99, Muffin House, Kevin Holmes, Molly’s Apothecary, Robert Wadley, and The Stott Family. 

 

For more information on the Franklin Food Pantry, to receive food assistance, or to donate funds and food, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,300 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. The Pantry partners with several organizations including the Greater Boston Food Bank to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Donations and grants fund food purchases, keep lights on, and put gas in the Pantry truck. 

Programs include home delivery, a weekend backpack program for Franklin school children, mobile pantries, emergency food bags, and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 341 W. Central St. in Franklin, Massachusetts on Route 140. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Everyone wins setting a record turnout at the Franklin Turkey Trot 2023

Over 800 folks pre-registered to participate in the walk, run, stroll annual Franklin Turkey Trot fund raiser for the Franklin Food Pantry. With walk in registrations, it was reported to be a record turnout. Final numbers and fund raising totals will be available later. 

Franklin Turkey Trot 2023

In the meantime, almost 800 finished the Turkey Trot Thursday morning in cool but delightful weather to get some exercise in before the turkey dinner later. The event started and finished at the Church of Later Days Saints on Jordan Road. 

Lots of families and friends gathered for this event. Lots of smiles were around as folks reconnected while chatting and walking the course. Yes, there was also a number of speedy runners, current and past FHS runner names can be recognized in the finish listing. 

There should be consideration of a "pushing the carriage or stroller" category given the presence of as many as there were. It truly was a family oriented event.

Updated via a Facebook post by the Franklin Food Pantry:

"Wow! We are giving thanks for our amazing community who participated in this year's Turkey Trot and raised more than $48,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry!  

More than 1,000 people registered for the race and 60 organizations and individuals sponsored the event.  

So many volunteers made this run possible, but special thanks to Erin Campbell of LDS Franklin and Jen Johnson of The Pantry.  

Happy Thanksgiving!"

If you had not yet listened to my conversation with Erin Campbell, Franklin Turkey Trot organizer and with Jen Johnson, Franklin Food Pantry Major Gift Coordinator, you can do so by following this link ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/have-you-registered-for-turkey-trot.html

The Franklin Turkey Trot results -> https://www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=268767#1_7AAEAD

what the start looked like from the back of the pack

Franklin Cultural District: Turkey Trot, Fill the Cruiser, music choices as #arthappenshere

Wednesday, November 22

12:00pm Senior Center closes at Noon

Franklin Turkey Trot 2023

Thursday, November 23 = Thanksgiving Day

6:30am Registration for Turkey Trot 2023

8:00am Franklin Turkey Trot 2023

Friday, November 24

9:00am Fill the Cruiser at BJs

9:00am Fill the Cruiser at Marshall’s  

6:00pm Jamie Barrett (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Saturday, November 25

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Mrs. Claus visits & reads (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Post Thanksgiving Rail Trail Walk (Grove St entrance)

12:30pm Fill the Cruiser at the Raillery Pub

4:00pm Piano Steve (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Sunday, November 26

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

4:00pm Santa Arrives at the Town Common 

Tuesday, November 28

2:30pm Rainbow Café (Franklin Senior Center)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:   https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Have you registered for the Turkey Trot? This fun family & community event helps the Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1100 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1100 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Erin Campbell, Franklin Turkey Trot organizer and with Jen Johnson, Franklin Food Pantry Major Gift Coordinator. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

We talk about the Turkey Trot coming up on Thanksgiving morning. 

We talk about how the race has evolved, sponsorship opportunities, the community event itself, and free raffle prizes in addition to awards by race age category & more.

Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear that I am happy to be a sponsor of this event, and that the recording is separately part of my overall public service effort for Franklin.News/Franklin Public Radio.

The recording runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Erin and Jen.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1100-franklin-turkey-trot-11-15-23

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Turkey Trot webpage (register online through Tuesday, and in person Wednesday night (7 - 9 PM) or Thursday morning (from 6:30 AM to race time)) http://franklinturkeytrot.org/ 

Food Pantry audio series

• June 2023 - grand opening audio https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/franklin-food-pantry-celebrates-grand.html

• August 2023 - Exec Dir Tina Powderly - campaign kick off https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-food-pantry-launches-building.html 

• August 2023 - campaign #2 - Anne McGillis & Yianna Zicherman https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation.html 

• August 2023 - campaign #3 - Suzanne Gendreau & Donna O’Neill https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation_01022713506.html 

• September 2023 - campaign #4 - Laura Du & Amber Baur https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation.html 

"The Franklin Food Pantry is here for you. If you need us, we are here with not only food, but useful programs and resources for individuals, seniors and families struggling with food insecurity. If you can support us, we thank you - visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org  to explore volunteering, donating funds, donating food, or supporting our Capital Campaign to keep the lights on and the programs, from food elves to weekend backpack stuffing. It truly takes a village to keep our food pantry running and supporting the increasing demand, supporting our Franklin neighbors."

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news or www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Have you registered for the Turkey Trot? This fun family & community event helps the Food Pantry (audio)

Preparations Underway for the 12th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to announce the 12th annual Franklin Turkey Trot, a 5K fun run to benefit The Pantry, will take place on Nov. 23, 2023, at 8 a.m. Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities are invited to register for the Thanksgiving morning tradition which begins and ends at 91 Jordan Rd., Franklin, Massachusetts. 

Franklin Turkey Trot

Runners will receive a light breakfast, and category medals and door prizes will be awarded following the race. Registration fees are $20 per person prior to Oct. 18, and $25 thereafter, with a family cap of $100. Food donations are no longer accepted at the event. 

Proceeds from the race help provide supplemental food assistance and programs to those facing food insecurity. To register, visit www.franklinturkeytrot.org through Nov. 21, or register in-person at the race location on Nov. 22, between 7 and 9 p.m., or the morning of the race between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. 

Race day sponsors are needed to make this year’s event a success. Funds received from sponsorships support The Pantry and cover costs associated with the event including the race registration company, timing technology, insurance, and security details. Sponsorship levels are:

• Presenting Sponsor $2,000 

• Platinum Sponsor $750 

• Gold Sponsor $500 

• Silver Sponsor $250 

• Friend Sponsor $100 

• Door Prize Sponsor

Preparations Underway for the 12th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot

A complete list of sponsorship benefits is listed on The Pantry’s website www.franklinfoodpantry.org. Potential sponsors are encouraged to sign up prior to Nov. 9. 

To date, the following organizations and individuals have graciously committed to sponsoring the event:

Platinum Sponsors: MyFM 101.3, Next9Up, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Gold Sponsorship:  Franklin Knights of Columbus #1847, Paul A. Longobardi & Sons Trucking

Silver Sponsorship: Franklin Matters, Vendetti Motors, Emmons LLC, Starr and Glick Orthodontists, Mike and Maureen Sabolinski, Nutrify Performance Nutrition for Women, LLC 

For more information on the 12th annual Franklin Turkey Trot, please visit http://www.franklinturkeytrot.org/.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,300 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. 

Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Programs include home delivery, a weekend backpack program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantries, emergency food bags, and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 341 W. Central St. in Franklin, Massachusetts on Route 140. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Yes, the Franklin Turkey Trot registration for November 2023 is Now Open!

Franklin Turkey Trot Sign Up Donate Thursday, November 23, 2023 Registration is Open! Hello, Franklin! Summer is sadly coming to a close, but the approach of autumn means Turkey Trot time!! Registration opens September 7th with free race shirts to the first 100 registrants. Visit our website for more info and the link to register. See you in November! Register Today! Franklin Turkey Trot

639 finishes helped the Franklin Food Pantry at the Franklin Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving morning, Nov 24, 2022

The official results show 639 finishers of the Turkey Trot 5K run/walk on Thanksgiving morning. The lollipop loop course began and ended at the Church of Later Day Saints on Jordan Road. The fund raising benefits the programs of the Franklin Food Pantry.

The official results can be found at this link ->  https://www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=226360#1_7AAEAD

Age group results -> 

https://www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=226360#1_FB507F

Download the overall results as a PDF ->

https://my1.raceresult.com/226360/RRPublish/data/pdf?name=Result%20Lists%7COverall%20Results&contest=1&lang=en

Disclosure: Franklin Matters is a sponsor of the event and a long time supporter of the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Turkey Trot 5K

Sign up now for a great start to Thanksgiving morning as the Franklin 5K Turkey Trot Tradition continues for its 11th Year!

11th Annual Family Fun Run Benefits Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to announce that the annual Franklin Turkey Trot is back for its 11^th year! The race will take place on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022, at 8:00 AM and for the first time post-COVID, breakfast will be provided for all participants! 

In addition, all registered runners will be automatically entered in the Turkey Trot Raffle for a chance to win terrific prizes from local businesses! The 5K starts at 91 Jordan Road, Franklin, MA and follows a lollipop route in the neighborhood.  

 

The $25 registration fee goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need. Participants can register online here.  The Pantry will not be able to accept food donations instead of the fee.  Runners can also purchase a t-shirt directly from the registration page to commemorate their experience. 

Julia DiMarino

"The Turkey Trot is such a wonderful tradition in our community, and we are incredibly grateful that through this event, we can continue to meet our neighbor's needs for food, services and programs. As we navigate a post-COVID world, we will extend our hybrid distribution model, offering both in-person and curbside distribution. We are also expanding our home delivery and mobile pantries to reach those who cannot come to us," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. 

"Last year we raised an incredible $35,000! With food prices increasing nationally by 13.1% and locally by 10.9% this year, it's more expensive than ever to serve our neighbors in need. Funds from events like the Turkey Trot are critical to our mission to provide hunger relief and vital services to our community."  

 

"I'd also like to thank our Turkey Trot Chair, Erin Campbell. We are fortunate to have an incredibly hard-working group of dedicated volunteers, led by Erin, to bring this event to life," said Powderly. "Erin also works tirelessly to secure local businesses to cover the associated costs. The Turkey Trot is an amazing amount of work, and we could not hold this incredible community tradition without Erin's leadership." 

 

"This event has been a tradition in my community for many years and I'm really excited to be a part of making it happen this year! I'm thrilled that breakfast is back and I'm so happy to be able to thank our runners with a free raffle! I'm looking forward to a terrific day and raising funds that will truly help our neighbors in need," said Erin Campbell, Turkey Trot Chair. 

 

2021 Turkey Trot Runners

About the Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. 

Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.  

Get your Thanksgiving morning started off with some exercise and help the Franklin Food Pantry

There is nothing like a run (or walk) on a crisp fall morning followed by coffee and conversation with your friends and family!

Sign up for the Franklin Turkey Trot and start your holiday off by helping your neighbors in need!

Register online -> http://www.franklinturkeytrot.org/

Cost: $25 after October 18; family cap at $100

Food donations are no longer accepted as race payment

Registration: Register at Race location on Wednesday Night from 7-9pm or Morning of Race from 6:30am to 7:30am

Dogs: Dogs are not permitted on the race course during the race

Bib Pickup at Race Location Wednesday Night from 7-9pm or Morning of Race starting at 6:30am

T-shirts: Free to first 100 registered runners or you can purchase during registration until November 8th.

Awards: Category medals awarded

All runners are automatically entered into free raffle. Raffle prizes following race.

Free breakfast for all participants

Refunds: Entry fees cannot be refunded

Disclosure: Franklin Matters is a sponsor of this event

2021 Turkey Trot Runners

Franklin 5K Turkey Trot Tradition Continues, sign up now for the great start Thanksgiving morning!

11th Annual Family Fun Run Benefits Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to announce that the annual Franklin Turkey Trot is back for its 11^th year! The race will take place on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022, at 8:00 am and for the first time post-Covid, breakfast will be provided for all participants! In addition, all registered runners will be automatically entered in the Turkey Trot Raffle for a chance to win terrific prizes from local businesses! The 5K starts at 91 Jordan Road, Franklin, MA and follows a lollipop route in a local neighborhood.  

 

The $20 early bird registration fee is effective through October 18 and then increases to $25. The registration fee goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need. Participants can register online here.  The Pantry will not be able to accept food donations instead of the fee.  Runners can also purchase a t-shirt directly from the registration page to commemorate their experience. 

Julia DiMarino

"The Turkey Trot is such a wonderful tradition in our community, and we are incredibly grateful that through this event, we can continue to meet our neighbor's needs for food, services and programs. As we navigate a post-Covid world, we will extend our hybrid distribution model, offering both in-person and curbside distribution. We are also expanding our home delivery and mobile pantries to reach those who cannot come to us," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "Last year we raised an incredible $35,000! With food prices increasing nationally by 13.1% and locally by 10.9% this year, it's more expensive than ever to serve our neighbors in need. Funds from events like the Turkey Trot are critical to our mission to provide hunger relief and vital services to our community."  

 

There is still time to become a sponsor! There are several opportunities for local businesses to sponsor the race. Funds received from sponsorships are used to cover costs associated with the event, including the race registration company, timing technology, insurance, and security details. Funds raised above our expenses go directly to support the Franklin Food Pantry. Interested sponsors should contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org. 

 

Thank you to our current 2022 sponsors (as of 10/11/22)! 

Platinum: Middlesex Bank, MyFM Media 

Gold: Capstan Atlantic/Leslie Doughty, Paul A. Longobardi & Son's Trucking, Emmons St LLC 

Silver: Franklin Matters, Simons, Vendetti Motors, Alisa Hansen, DRR Contracting, Eagle Stainless Tube, Mike & Maureen Sabolinski, The Morandi Family, Nutrify Performance Nutrition for Women, LLC. 

 

"I'd also like to thank our Turkey Trot Chair, Erin Campbell. We are fortunate to have an incredibly hard-working group of dedicated volunteers, led by Erin, to bring this event to life," said Powderly. "Erin also works tirelessly to secure local businesses to cover the associated costs. The Turkey Trot is an amazing amount of work, and we could not hold this incredible community tradition without Erin's leadership." 

 

"This event has been a tradition in my community for many years and I'm really excited to be a part of making it happen this year! I'm thrilled that breakfast is back and I'm so happy to be able to thank our runners with a free raffle! I'm looking forward to a terrific day and raising funds that will truly help our neighbors in need," said Erin Campbell, Turkey Trot Chair. 

 

2021 Turkey Trot Runners

 

About the Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. 

Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.