Franklin Food Pantry appoints 3 new Board members

Franklin Food Pantry Bolsters Board with Three New Members

Experienced Leaders Join Board of Directors

The Franklin Food Pantry today announced three new members to its Board of Directors. Community Members Vicki Coates, Susan Dewsnap, and Chris Kilburn have joined its Board to further The Franklin Food Pantry's mission to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions within the Franklin area as well as guide The Pantry to its next stage of services.

"Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to relieving food insecurity within our community," said Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director Tina Powderly. "Vicki, Sue and Chris bring a variety of experience that round out our Board of Directors and we are excited to have their talents available as we look to fully fulfill our mission."

Vicki Coates

Vicki Coates has over twenty-five years of senior leadership experience in product development, operations and contracting for various Massachusetts health and dental insurance carriers. She received her master's from Clark University and her undergraduate degree from Colby College. She was a co-founder of the Franklin Education Foundation and the former Partners in Education program at the J.F. Kennedy School in Franklin. She and her husband have resided in Franklin for over 30 years and raised two children, both graduates of the Franklin Public Schools.

Susan Dewsnap

Susan Dewsnap is a Vice President and Relationship Manager at Rockland Trust. She is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts Amherst (B.B.A.) and Bryant University (M.B.A.). Her professional financial experience includes both corporate and personal financial planning.  Her volunteer involvement includes 10 years on the Franklin Finance Committee and Treasurer of Tockwotton Home in Providence, RI. She also enjoys helping at school events and cheering for her kids at sports and music events. Dewsnap lives in Franklin with her husband and two children.

Chris Kilburn

Chris Kilburn recently retired from Fidelity Investments, where he was a Senior Vice President and Head of Technology Architecture. In that role his responsibilities included the strategic vision, design and delivery of technology, enabling customers to confidently make decisions that drive better health and financial outcomes. Previously he held several technology leadership roles across Fidelity's market-leading workplace retirement business. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Marketing at Boston College Carroll School of Management.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,400 individuals. During the Covid-19 pandemic, The Pantry has moved to a curbside distribution. Clients receive a bag of shelf-stable items, fresh produce and a choice of proteins along with specialized bags for children under 18. The Franklin Food Pantry receives no state or local funding for our operational costs. 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 delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin elementary and middle school children in need, 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.