Franklin Food Pantry: Urgent Appeal for Support

Urgent Appeal for Support Hello Neighbor, We're reaching out with an urgent appeal. Just this morning, Governor Maura Healey announced that the state cannot cover new federal funding gaps for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – a program that more than 1 million Massachusetts residents rely on to put food on their tables. Lack of SNAP benefits directly hurt those who need help most: 32% are children, 31% are people with disabilities, and 26% are seniors – as well as our local grocers who rely on this revenue. The federal shutdown is also affecting programs like heating assistance; combined with rising health insurance, food and housing costs, many families are being pushed to the brink. The Franklin Food Pantry expects a sharp rise in requests for help. We are so grateful for support from our community and we all need to come together now to take action and to ensure no neighbor goes hungry. If you are in a position to give, please make a donation HERE today—your support will make an immediate difference. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please contact Laura Du, Client Services Manager, at 508-528-3115 or Ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org. With gratitude, The Franklin Food Pantry Team Donate to The Pantry

Franklin Food Pantry | 341 W Central St. | Franklin, MA 02038 US

School Committee gets updates on after school clubs and from the Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1553 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1553 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school

• Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November

• Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand the availability of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshops outside of the high school to the community. Looking into why middle school students who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school

• Good of the order raised the following items

• Consideration of removing restriction on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting

• A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels

• Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations

• entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The recording runs about 1 hour and 33 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1533-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-14-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwf-tNffMs 

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948 

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link 

Food Pantry slides (photos captured during meeting)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BwjzVA9dhMdwNGYR9 

Food Pantry Infographic on Impact -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/about/impact/ 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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

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

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"

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, October 24, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares my conversation with Erin Campbell, Franklin Turkey Trot organizer and with Jen Johnson, Franklin Food Pantry Development Associate ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/10/hear-all-about-2025-franklin-turkey.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Food Pantry receives new truck from BJs, hands off truck to Natick Service Council (video)

via Franklin Food Pantry post to LinkedIn:

"Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to support our mission. When individuals share their professional expertise, the value they bring is immeasurable. Special thanks to Pantry volunteer Timothy Montgomery for filming and editing this fantastic video—with additional photography by Steve Sherlock and Franklin TV—that captures the BJ's Wholesale Club Truck Donation Event with Natick Service Council on August 13, 2025.

If you have a special talent that you would like to use to help The Pantry, please visit our website, complete an application and share your special talents in the application form."

Video link: https://lnkd.in/eBJSZ24b

The Franklin Food Pantry is looking to hire a dietician for a part-time assignment

via Franklin Food Pantry's LinkedIn posting:

"We're hiring! Are you a registered dietitian seeking a part-time role? 

The Franklin Food Pantry is looking to
hire a dietician for a part-time assignment

Franklin Food Pantry has a 12-month assignment available, requiring 10-12 hours per month. 

In this position, you will collaborate with the team to facilitate the implementation of their Nutrition Policy and Food is Medicine programming. 

For more details on the role, please refer to the full job description provided here: https://lnkd.in/ecmP_mtY. "

Shared from ->  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franklinfoodpantry_registered-dietitian-franklin-ma-02038-activity-7382035938581069824-A68f?

School Committee gets updates on after school clubs and from the Food Pantry (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, October 14 in Council Chambers with all 7 members present and participating.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwf-tNffMs

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948

Quick recap:

• FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school
• Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November
• Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand available of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshop outside of the high school to community. Looking into why middle school student who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school
• Good of the order raised the following items
• Consideration of removing restriction on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting
• A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels
• Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations
• entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link

Food Pantry slides (photos captured during meeting)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BwjzVA9dhMdwNGYR9

Hear all about the 2025 Franklin Turkey Trot from Erin & Jen (audio)

FM #1550 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1550 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 Development Associate. We had our conversation at the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

Franklin Turkey Trot

We talk about the Franklin Turkey Trot coming up on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025. 

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

New this year, a costume contest with prizes for best costume in different categories.

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 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Erin and Jen. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1550-the-2025-franklin-turkey-trot-09-29-25/

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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 7:30 AM)) http://franklinturkeytrot.org/ 

Food Pantry current needs page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/ 

Amazon wish lists -> https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 

Schedule a food & fund drive page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/food-and-fund-drives/ 

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.

--------------

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

------------------

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