GBFB: "The Importance of Grants: Tina Powderly and the Franklin Food Pantry"

"Food insecurity respects few if any boundaries, particularly those of geography. One in three Massachusetts residents remains in need of food assistance – no decrease since the pandemic – regardless of the fact that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency officially ended on May 11th. 

In Franklin, Tina Powderly, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry, reports that they’ve seen a 39 percent increase in families in need since last July – from 154 to close to 200. Ninety children receive assistance through the pantry’s Weekend Backpack Program – up from 60 just last summer. 

 When the numbers go the wrong way, the lifeblood provided by grants becomes even more important to a nonprofit. “They have been absolutely critical,” Powderly explains. “We wouldn’t be where we are now without them.” She points to the pantry’s five-year-old, grant-funded pilot, ‘Walk-In Friday’ – client-choice shopping – from which they’ve taken valuable lessons and strategies for the future. 

The program taught them that healthy produce and perishable items were key differentiators in meeting clients’ needs, prompting them to make significant investments in refrigerator and freezer space. That allowed them to carry and distribute far more frozen proteins, more milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese and produce. 

(In 2022, the Franklin Food Pantry served 1,103 people in 514 households, of which 255 of them were children, and 213 seniors.) “Those are extreme needs for our clients and quite expensive, so we’re really making a difference in their lives,” Powderly says. "

Continue reading the article online ->

https://www.gbfb.org/2023/08/02/gbfb-community-investment-grants-franklin-food-pantry/

unloading the food pantry truck at their former location

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 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.