Pantry Elves play an important role in fund raising for the Franklin Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1589 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1589 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Marsha Tait, Development Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, and Jen Johnson, Development Associate. We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Pantry on Monday, November 17, 2025. 

Discussion items: 

• Pantry Elves

• Urgent Appeal vs. Year End Appeal

• Franklin Turkey Trot

• Lots of ways to help & contribute

The conversation runs about 29 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1589-pantry-elves-year-end-appeal-11-17-25/

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

Pantry Elves play an important role in
fundraising for the Franklin Food Pantry (audio)

Pantry Elves sign up page ->  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/pantryelves/ 

Follow The Pantry on

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

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

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

Franklin Turkey Trot ->  https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Franklin/FranklinTurkeyTrot 

Grateful for the years of support from Rockland Trust for use of the prior building which is no longer standing on West Central St in the Rockland Trust parking lot.

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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"

The annual Pantry Elves Campaign is getting ready to start, are you going to join?

annual Pantry Elves Campaign

"Attention middle school, high school, and college students: are you looking to support The Pantry and earn community service hours? 

Join our annual Pantry Elves Campaign! The need for food assistance is at an all time high - but you can help fight food insecurity and bring hope to families and individuals in the Franklin area.

 

Visit our website to learn more!" 

Register by Dec 1, 2025; Pantry Elves info ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/volunteer/pantryelves/

Shared from ->https://www.instagram.com/p/DQnAtypkUdf/

YOU have the power to stave off economic turmoil in our community!

2023 Annual Appeal

Donate Today! ‌

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Cultural District Committee

The Cultural District Committee is an appointed volunteer board formed to provide oversight and management of the Town’s Franklin Cultural District. The Cultural District Committee (CDC) is comprised of up to seven members, all of whom are Franklin residents.

CDC’s mission is to enrich and inspire our residents and visitors by fostering local cultural, artistic, culinary and historical development aligned with local partners in a defined walkable area that is easily accessible and serves as the center of cultural economic activity. The CDC has been working to collaborate with Franklin’s cultural district partners, focusing on supporting and participating in their efforts.

The Goals of the CDC’s work include: Actively promoting the arts by attracting local artists and supporting cultural activities within the Town; Encouraging business and job development; Helping to preserve and promote the Town’s historical sites and events; Building community spirit within Franklin and encourage civic involvement; and Helping to create an appealing, attractive, and vibrant destination for tourists.

Formal status as a “Massachusetts Cultural District” was awarded on January 18, 2019, by vote of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Board of Directors. Each year the Town is required to file a report to MCC regarding the status of the Cultural District, outline goals for the coming year, and provide a summary of how the Town utilized any MCC funding.

During FY20 MCC awarded Franklin Cultural District a $5,000 grant; the majority of funds went towards providing the Cultural District’s Partners with small grants for collaborative arts and culture events and activities.

Since the CDC was created in FY18 the CDC has enjoyed participating in a variety of annual events within the Cultural District and region. In October 2019 CDC members participated in Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Harvest Festival. On June 3, 2020 two members of the CDC participated in the MetroFest: At Home Edition! to highlight the Franklin Cultural District and its arts and culture resources.

In the spring of 2020 the CDC organized a Cultural District Photography Scavenger Hunt Contest. This was seen as a great opportunity for participants’ to learn more about the Franklin Cultural District while using their artistic talents and skills. Residents were invited to exercise creativity while maintaining a safe physical distance from others due to COVID-19. Four winners received gift cards to their chosen Franklin Cultural District Partner.

Social Media The CDC continues to work hard to market the Cultural District in a variety of ways, including the Franklin Cultural District’s new website (www.franklinculture.org), use of Constant Contact, and creation of a monthly newsletter.  In order to promote awareness of cultural activities and events throughout the Franklin community the CDC has worked to create a vibrant social media presence: 

Facebook;  www.facebook.com/franklinculturema

Twitter @franklin culture   https://twitter.com/franklinculture

Instagram @franklinculture  https://www.instagram.com/franklinculture/

The CDC holds regular monthly meetings, and subcommittees comprised of Committee members and partners meet as needed. In addition, CDC hosts quarterly Cultural District Partners meetings. These meetings rotate among weeknights and locations in town in an effort to provide flexibility in attendance, as work schedules vary throughout the town. The meetings are publicized through social media, as well as print media. All meetings are open to the public. During the last three months of FY20 the CDC held its meetings remotely via the Zoom platform. The CDC and its Partners will continue to improve the Cultural District area, build upon our current strengths of performing arts and art education, strive to create opportunities for all arts and culture related organizations and individuals, and continue to support and promote the arts throughout the Franklin Community.

Franklin’s Cultural District Committee consists of the following residents:

• Nancy Schoen, Chair
• John LoPresti, Vice Chair
• Pandora Carlucci, Clerk
• James Barrett 
• Roberta Trahan 
• Evan Chelman

Respectfully submitted, 

Nancy Schoen, CDC Chair

The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Cultural District Committee 

Franklin Food Pantry Annual Appeal: You can help the Food Pantry help Rose!

We began planning for our annual appeal before the COVID-19 crisis began. While we are still happy to be able to share Rose’s story with you, we now know that it is even more important than ever that the Pantry keep its doors open and service everyone who has been impacted by this global crisis.

Please read more about Rose’s experience and learn how you can help her and everyone who needs the Pantry.

When Rose graciously invited us into her home to share a cup of tea and her experience at the Pantry, we weren’t expecting to feel such happiness and pride. It is such an honor to be a part of an organization that helps to create and facilitate community and acceptance from the moment one walks through our doors! You help make that happen.

Rose has lived a full life. She has contributed so much to the world and is now at a point where her life circumstance will not change. We know that with a 13% increase in the number of seniors who came to the Pantry last year, our presence makes their life a little easier. Rising medical costs, living on a fixed income, and daily expenses add up. The Pantry helps to alleviate financial stress by providing a place for our neighbors to receive fresh food on a regular basis – all while also providing a sense of community support.

Your donation is critical for the Pantry to continue to provide food, personal care items, and a physical location for our neighbors in need. The Pantry is so much more than a place to get food. We receive no state or town funding and we rely on the generosity of people like you to help to foster this community and continue to make lives better for families, veterans, and seniors – our friends and neighbors. People like Rose.

You can help us make sure that our shelves are always stocked – no matter what time of the year – and that everyone in Franklin has access to healthy food. A gift of any amount makes a difference and you will be supporting your neighbors right here in Franklin.

Suzanne Gendreau                  Lynn Calling
Board Member                          Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry                Franklin Food Pantry
Fundraising Chair

P.S. – Rose shared that she has recommended the Pantry to friends and has brought in additional people needing help. She knew that the Pantry employees and volunteers would treat her friends with dignity and respect.

P.S.S. You may have seen the exciting news that the Pantry has purchased a new building in Franklin to expand our offerings and better serve our neighbors. While we will need to launch a capital campaign our annual appeal is strictly for operation spending. Thank you!

The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FEIN #04-3272663
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Find the full flyer content with Rose's story in the PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TLue7Zl2KrTR733CjK2olCosncRiicD/view?usp=sharing

Donate to the Franklin Food Pantry here