#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid Update & Call to Action

To those who #LOVEfranklin:

Nearly two years ago you signed onto a "A Call to Our Community," written by the Franklin Interfaith Council (FIC) in response to several incidences including targeted hate speech and vandalism against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial slurs at public events, and anti-Semitic graffiti. The FIC issued a call to #LOVEfranklin. Part of that call was an expressed commitment of each signer to "create a beloved community where all persons regardless of their gender, identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background, stature, ability, creed or faith can find a home."

As most of you are aware, the State of Massachusetts has opened some 80 emergency shelters across the state, including in Franklin, to help support "homeless families in crisis."  You can find a copy of the town press release here. Currently the emergency shelter in Franklin is housing some 120 people. The shelter is expected to fill over the next few weeks to a capacity of 400-500 people. Over half the people currently placed in Franklin are native English speakers. While the state is providing most of the basic needs for these individuals and getting them setup with social services, many needs remain unmet as people try to make a new home for their family.

This is where you come in. The Franklin Interfaith Council will be regularly communicating the needs of the families placed in the emergency shelter in Franklin, providing local drop-off points for you to make donations, and distributing the donations at the shelter. In addition to tangible donations like food, clothing, and hygiene products, we will also help communicate volunteer opportunities. There are many ways you can help.  See the attached flyer for a listing of current needs and volunteer opportunities. We will update and distribute this flyer regularly.

If you know of people who would like to be added to this distribution list, please have them email info@franklininterfaith.org. If you would like to be removed from this distribution list, please respond to this email and let me know.

Thank you for your on-going commitment to #LOVEfranklin and your efforts to help others make a home and fall in love with Franklin too!

Peace.
Jacob

 

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Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker

Pastor, Franklin United Methodist Church

President, Franklin Interfaith Council

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Flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DI6Xtcy2Q-tcaG6LYsfeCpcJypqbDuze/view?usp=drive_link

#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid Update & Call to Action

Additional Links:

• "A Call to Our Community: #LOVEfranklin" (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/a-call-to-our-community-lovefranklin.html)
• Town of Franklin Press Release from 8/24/23 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZrtRuZM0DyW9gbQ1K5GPRaKD2-1iMokO/view).
• Town Administrator's Report on the Migrant Housing Status – 9/06/23 (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html)
• Town Administrator's Report on the Migrant Housing Status - 09/20/23 (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant_20.html)
• "1,000 families now arriving in Massachusetts shelter every month, officials estimate," WCVB.com, September 8, 2023 (https://www.wcvb.com/article/migrant-crisis-massachusetts-emergency-shelter-rapidly-growing/45049626)

The donation bin at the Franklin Food Pantry has a name -> "Purple People Feeder"

Six-year-old twins Addison and Gracelyn, winners of the donation bin naming contest, and their little sister visited with Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, to check out the "Purple People Feeder."  

Come visit the Purple People Feeder on The Pantry's loading dock and be sure to bring a non-perishable donation to feed our neighbors.  

For a complete tour of the pantry, sign up online at: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building/

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0WvTndYymh59V9mStKXUZXUsvHsgmw5ydzSAreUs1bwvyRgasSw4qoxVmT3hhXm8yl&id=100064488767698&mibextid=Nif5oz

Six-year-old twins Addison and Gracelyn, winners of the donation bin naming contest, and their little sister visited with Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Food Pantry to Take Part in Hunger Action Month®

September is Hunger Action Month®, and the Franklin Food Pantry is joining Feeding America and a nationwide network of food pantries to raise awareness and inspire the public to act on behalf of people experiencing hunger. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure. 

The Town of Franklin and the surrounding community are not immune to food insecurity with The Pantry providing more than 1,300 individuals with supplemental food assistance and services. As a private, non- profit organization, The Pantry relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers, offering community groups and individuals many opportunities to become involved in the fight against hunger.

“Over the past two years, the Franklin Food Pantry has experienced a sharp increase in the need for supplemental food assistance,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry. “Hunger Action Month calls on our community to join the fight on hunger, restock our shelves, and make sure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food and services.”

Individuals and groups can take action against hunger by participating in the following:

• Organize a food or fund drive

• Donate funds, food, or other pantry needs to the Franklin Food Pantry

• Learn about the impact hunger has on Franklin and Norfolk County

• Volunteer at the Franklin Food Pantry

• Write to local elected officials and urge them to fight hunger

• Wear orange on Hunger Action Day (Friday, September 23, 2023) to spread awareness and show commitment toward ending hunger

• Join the conversation by posting photos or stories to social media with #HungerActionMonth For more information on Hunger Action Month visit HungerActionMonth.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,300 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. 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. 

Programs include home delivery, a weekend backpack program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantries, emergency food bags, and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 341 W. Central St. in Franklin, Massachusetts on Route 140. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

September is Hunger Action Month

Franklin Food Pantry serves record number of our neighbors in a single day

Via the Franklin Food Pantry 

"Yesterday (Tuesday, 8/22/23) we served a RECORD NUMBER of 112 neighbors between client appointments, emergency bags, and curbside distribution. None of this would have been possible without our new, larger space where we can accommodate more clients and have the capacity to store more food. 

We are asking you to join us in our efforts! 

We have reached 56% of our $3.5 million campaign goal to raise funds for the purchase and renovation of our building, enhance our client programs and services, and create a rainy-day fund for future building expenses. 

We are deeply grateful for your support, and cannot help our neighbors in need without you!"

Find the Instagram reel here -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwS20MFrGfy/

Follow the link to donate and sign up for a tour of the new building ->  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building/

Recent podcasts about the Franklin Food Pantry. Their work servicing our neighbors is enhanced by the new facility. 

• Executive Director Tina Powderly   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-food-pantry-launches-building.html 
• Anne McGillis & Yianna Zicherman    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation.html 
• Suzanne Gendreau & Donna O'Neill    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation_01022713506.html

Franklin Food Pantry serves record number of our neighbors in a single day

This Franklin Food Pantry conversation covers how community involvement makes this a success (audio)

FM #1039 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1039 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Suzanne Gendreau, Franklin Food Pantry board member and Building Campaign Committee Chair along with Donna O’Neill, Food Pantry volunteer and ambassador extraordinaire. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

We talk about the happy news that the Food Pantry has their own home, finally. While they are appreciative of the space Rockland Trust has let them use for many years, their needs had outgrown the space. 

We spend much of the time sharing stories about the community involvement that is what makes the Food Pantry a successful operation assisting our neighbors.

Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear about my background with the Food Pantry and that I have committed to this capital campaign.

The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Suzanne and Donna. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1039-franklin-food-pantry-building-campaign-3-07-24-23

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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.

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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

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!

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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 Food Pantry Launches Building Campaign (audio)

The Pantry Needs YOU now more than ever before!

"Those lights look like halos, and all of you are all angels for doing this for us."

August 2023 Donor Nibble The Pantry Needs Your Help Now More Than Ever!   August 9, 2023 Dear Stephen and Dolores, Did you know that The Pantry has moved into our new home at 341 West Central St. in Franklin? The new space is a dream come true, thanks to the dedication and commitment of caring people like you who have spent ten years supporting, planning, and designing our new home! At the same time, The Pantry has experienced a dramatic increase in demand for our programs and services. In June of 2022, we provided food, household products, and personal care items to 298 households; in June of 2023, we assisted 367 households. Last year, we enrolled one or two new clients per week. In the first two weeks in our new building, we enrolled 13 new clients and have enrolled more than 45 since then. Increased demand has occurred at the same time that we are all experiencing increased costs of everything from food, to housing, to medical care. Not only have our clients' budgets been squeezed, but The Pantry's has as well. Donations of goods from community members are down, and sometimes we can't buy what we need through our membership in the Greater Boston Food Bank because their donations are down too. The Pantry needs your help now more than ever before! When we opened our doors to clients a few weeks ago, one of them remarked to one of our volunteers, "Those lights look like halos, and all of you are angels for doing this for us." That's what all of this is about: helping our neighbors in their moments of need in our expanded warm, welcoming, and dignified space. We have reached 56% of our $3.5 million campaign goal to raise funds for the purchase and renovation of our building, enhance our client programs and services, and create a rainy-day fund for future building expenses. We are now opening up the campaign to the whole community - and we hope that you will join this effort today!  We are deeply grateful for your support, and can not help our neighbors in need without you! If you wish to support our continuing programs and services with a donation, please click here today! If you donate to the campaign today, 100% of your donation will be matched by one of our treasured Pantry Angels - up to $25,000!!! If you wish to contribute to our campaign, please click here today! Thank you! "It's not about the building, it's about what we will do in the building." Did you know... That you can schedule a tour to see the inside of the new Pantry? Click the link below for more information and to sign up! Building Update Lots of things are happening all the time at The Pantry! We have a team in the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday August 20! Click here to support our team! The Annual Franklin Turkey Trot will be on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2023. Check our website in September for details! The Food Elves campaign will be December 1-12, 2023, Check our website in September for details! More Ways to Give DAF Direct Legacy Gifts Help ensure that The Pantry will be here to serve our community in the future by making a legacy gift. This can be as simple as leaving a percentage of your estate to The Pantry in your will. For more information, click here. Donor Advised Funds Did you know that you can make a tax-free qualified charitable distribution at any time from your IRA if you are 70½ or more years old. For more information, click here.  Please seek the advice of your tax accountant or attorney.  Ask Your Employers To Match Your Gift Many employers encourage their employees to make charitable gifts by matching a percentage (sometimes 100%) or by giving paid time off to volunteer. Ask your employer if they will match your gift to The Pantry and make your gift go further! From the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Universal State Charitable Deduction Update The long-delayed Massachusetts state charitable contributions deduction took effect on January 1, 2023. This deduction is now available to all donors including those who don't itemize deductions on their federal tax returns.   Thank you for supporting The Pantry!

Franklin Food Pantry | 341 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038 Try email marketing for free today!

This Franklin Food Pantry conversation provides some insights into their operations in the new facility (audio)

FM #1035 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1035 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Anne McGillis, Director of Operations, and Yianna Zicherman, Warehouse Manager of the Franklin Food Pantry. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

We talk about their respective roles in the operation of the Pantry. We get some insights into what happens behind the scenes to process the donations and food purchases to help our neighbors. Donations are always welcomed to help keep this operation running smoothly. 

The recording runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Anne & Yianna. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1035-franklin-food-pantry-building-campaign-02-07-24-23

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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.

Part 1 of the podcast series for the Franklin Food Pantry was shared last week.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-food-pantry-launches-building.html

Note: As part of my long association with the Franklin Food Pantry, I contribute financially to the building capital campaign. 

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

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

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"

Franklin Food Pantry Launches Building Campaign (audio)