NY Times: "The Trump Administration Has Changed Almost Every Aspect of Food Stamps"

"President Trump and his top officials have cast a sharp decrease in the number of food stamp recipients over the past year as evidence of economic progress and increasing self-sufficiency.

But the decline of more than three million participants since Mr. Trump took office to December 2025 is the result of some of the most consequential changes and the largest funding cut to the program since its inception.

An explainer of SNAP rules in a snack aisle at
a grocery store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Credit...
Thalassa Raasch for The New York Times

Through legislation and regulatory tweaks over the past year, the administration and its allies in Congress have achieved a long-held conservative goal of shrinking the safety net, reshaping how the federal government defines need for low-income beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Among the alterations: who is eligible, who must work to receive benefits, how much beneficiaries will receive, what can be purchased, what grocery stores that accept SNAP must stock on shelves, how states and counties administer the program and how much localities are paid by the federal government."

Continue reading the article via this gift link - 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/us/trump-administration-food-stamps.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eVA.gJrk.jErkgi1qIl5j&smid=url-share

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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 Wednesday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

• This hour features my conversation with 5 Food Pantry volunteers, how they got started and why they keep coming back ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/5-volunteers-talk-about-their.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone  All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 313 - Decoding the Wine Label with Marie Cheslik  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html?

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

Look for some Horace Mann mugs at the Empty Bowls silent auction

via Jeff Roy

"The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and I are excited to launch our preparations for the 2026 event to support the Franklin Food Pantry in May. Reuniting with the team to share ideas and decide on silent auction items has been productive.

This year, we've decided to design and make mugs to commemorate Horace Mann's 230th birthday.

You can find these mugs at the 11th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser silent auction scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6 PM at Franklin High School.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the event. "

You can purchase tickets at https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/happenings/events/emptybowls-2/

Additional photos can be found - https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjE7sNKxe/

You can get your copy of the Karate Show Recording from the Party for The Pantry (audio)

Purchase your copy via this link

"Good morning everyone!

My band Karate Show recently played a benefit show for the Franklin Food Pantry at the THE BLACK BOX. This was our first ever all acoustic show in 15 years as a band, so it’s a special one.

We’re hoping to raise a bit more money for the Pantry by sharing the recording. It’s available to download for whatever you’d like to contribute. A buck? $50 bucks? Anything. Every dollar will go directly to the Franklin Food Pantry. Come on, it's important.

Thank you to our fantastic sound engineer, @ Robert Swalley, for capturing the performance for us. We love working with you man. Also, huge thanks to Matthew Zajac. for the incredible mix. Always top-notch, my friend! Ray Auger and William James, thanks again for the invite.

Peace and love, peace and love..."

Purchase your copy via this link -

https://clokey.bandcamp.com/album/karate-show-unplugged-party-for-the-pantry-26

Recording of performance for The Party for The Pantry

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/posts/4324161721187154

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, April 16, 2026

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 Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events  (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)

• This hour features my conversation with 5 Food Pantry volunteers, how they got started and why they keep coming back ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/5-volunteers-talk-about-their.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• "The Turntable Show" features Peter Frampton's legendary "Frampton Comes Alive" Album released January 15, 1976.    
• The Album and Vibe Playlist Hours air the best live Frampton recordings from both the 1976 Alive and the follow-up 1995 Frampton Comes Alive II.  Enjoy the energetic, enjoyable, fun music of Peter Frampton and his band.  Turn it up."

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

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

Community Bowl Making Event at Franklin Senior Center, Friday, April 17

Come craft ceramic bowl at the Community Bowl Making Event on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 5 PM at the Franklin Senior Center.

Tickets are $30 adults, $20 kids (18 & under) and includes a ticket to the 11th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner and Fundraiser on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6pm.

Space is limited. Here is the link to signup, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AAAA72AA7F9C25-63512217-community

Please note artists under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

FHS Empty Bowls Club announce Empty Bowls Dinner, Thursday May 14, 2026

via FHS Empty Bowls Club

FHS Empty Bowls Club announce Empty
Bowls Dinner, Thursday May 14, 2026 

"We are so excited to announce our fundraiser for the Empty Bowls Night

You can purchase tickets through this link https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=105

Can’t wait to see you all there!!"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DW7stoEEYKk/

Help Us Stamp Out Hunger in Franklin, Saturday, May 9

Help Us Stamp Out Hunger in Franklin, Saturday, May 9

Help Us Stamp Out Hunger in Franklin! 

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Franklin Letter Carriers are picking up donations from Franklin residences and delivering them to The Pantry.  

Participating is easy as 1,2,3:

1. Fill a sturdy bag with nonperishable groceries

2. Place the bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 9th before your normal mail delivery time

3. Your letter carrier will grab the bag during their route or may come back later in the day.

Please donate nonperishable, unexpired food and personal care items including:

Baking Supplies - Cake Mixes, frosting, brownies and pancake mix

Health and Beauty products

Cleaning supplies

Cereal Boxes

School Snacks

Visit our website for the most needed items:  https://bit.ly/4cwbbfg

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1BARRC8raC/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 10, 2026

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 hour features my conversation with 5 Food Pantry volunteers, how they got started and why they keep coming back ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/5-volunteers-talk-about-their.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 

5 Volunteers talk about their experience volunteering at The Pantry (audio)

FM #1709 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1709 in the series. 

5 Volunteers talk about their experience
volunteering at The Pantry (audio)

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with (in order of introduction)

• Donna O’Neill

• Roberta Trahan

• Sally Grant

• Kim DeCrescenzo

• Carol Malachowski

We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Franklin Food Pantry on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. 

We started with a round of introductions and then 2 questions:

• How did you first get involved with The Pantry

• What keeps you coming back

That was all the group needed. The conversation took off from there. It runs almost 40 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1709-franklin-food-pantry-the-volunteer-experience-03-04-26/

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

2025 Annual report of The Pantry - https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FY25-Annual-Report-2-page.pdf 

Franklin Food Pantry web page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

To volunteer - https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/ 

Follow The Pantry on

Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry 

Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/franklinfoodpan/ 

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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"