Tina Powderly talks with me about Hunger Action Month (audio)

FM #1809 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1809 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Franklin Food Pantry on Friday, August 28, 2026. 

Discussion items: 

• Hunger Action Month, nationwide program by Feeding America

• Infographic confirms volume increases

• Many ways to help, take a tour, volunteer, donate items, money, etc.

• Plans for expansion to meet the growing need

The conversation runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1809-franklin-fodd-pantry-hunger-action-month-08-28-26/

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

Follow The Pantry on

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

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

Amazon wishlist ->  

https://franklinfoodpantry.mindfulgiving.org/campaigns/amazon-wish-list/products 

Infographic- https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/about/impact-reports/

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!

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

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

Please consider making a donation to The Pantry, or become a GEM (Give Every Month) member

Summer means fresh, nutritious produce is in season! Good nutrition is foundational to leading a healthy life—giving us the energy to show up as our best selves at home, work, and school. Yet, for too many in our community, healthy food remains out of reach.

Fresh produce and specialty items including low-sodium, gluten-free, and sugar-free options that are essential for managing medical conditions are often the most expensive items at the grocery store. In Massachusetts, 57% of households experiencing food insecurity also report low nutrition security, meaning they simply cannot afford the healthy foods necessary for long-term well-being.

Our neighbors experiencing food and nutrition insecurity face growing hurdles. Rising grocery prices, paired with state funding shortages at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that delay SNAP and HIP benefits, have made access to healthy food harder than ever.

To meet these challenges, we’re continuing to collaborate with dedicated partners like Spoonfuls, Night Owl Farm, Boston Area Gleaners, and local supermarkets to supply us with wholesome food. We’re also expanding fresh food access directly out in the community by sponsoring a SNAP Match every Friday at the Franklin Farmers’ Market—but we need your support.

Please consider making a donation to The Pantry, or become a GEM (Give Every Month) member to provide dependable support for our neighbors. Your generosity helps local families receive the nutrition they need to thrive. Thank you for helping ensure that no one in our community needs to faces hunger alone.

With heartfelt gratitude for your partnership,

Tina Powderly

Executive Director, the Franklin Food Pantry

Community Closet Update // Call for Donations

Dear Franklin UMC community,

I wanted to share an update about the Community Closet. It really feels like we hit a stride this week. Dust is beginning to settle and we're finding our rhythm.  Each Tuesday, the Closet is becoming more and more of what we hoped it would be—a place where neighbors linger, browse, chat, and build relationships. Thanks to the work of our amazing volunteers, adjusting racks and tables, the space is beginning to feel naturally welcoming and is much easier to to navigate.

This past Tuesday was our busiest day of the summer, with around 30 community members stopping in. The energy was joyful—kids exploring, parents comparing sizes, and neighbors helping one another find clothing that feels just right. Your presence and care make that possible.

As families prepare for back‑to‑school season, we’re seeing a growing need for children’s clothing, especially for school‑age kids. Our adult racks are also running low. If you have gently‑used clothing you’re ready to pass along, we would be grateful. While we continue to offer summer items, we’re also beginning to prepare for fall—light layers, long sleeves, and transitional pieces are especially helpful and will be put out as space allows.

A quick reminder about our setup: the Closet’s main‑level room houses all clothing bins, including kids clothing, jeans, and shoes. When the Closet is closed, all racks are stored in this space. When open, racks are moved into the main‑level Community Room (Fellowship Hall, Vestry, this space gets called a bunch of different things), where there’s plenty of space to browse, rest, and connect.

Donation Hours:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Tuesdays during Closet hours, 12:00 – 2:00 PM

All donations must be placed indoors. If you would like an in‑kind giving receipt, the Office is happy to provide one.

Thank you for helping the Community Closet remain a place of dignity, welcome, and abundance. Every item shared not only supports neighbors but also strengthens our community’s resilience.

Peace.
Pastor Jacob

4th of July Coalition could use your help funding the festivities

Please support the event DONATE or
https://franklin-july-4th-coalition-2.snwbll.com/2024-july-4th

Like many events that are "Franklin" based, the Town of Franklin does not provide funding for the 4th of July celebration. It is a total volunteer and donation funded effort.

Which means you can help!

Join the sponsors listed!

Consider supporting the sponsors with your business !!

Please support the event DONATE or https://franklin-july-4th-coalition-2.snwbll.com/2024-july-4th

Cars For Homes Program Helps Build Affordable Housing

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program is seeking donations of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, RV’s, SUV’s, boats, motorcycles, and more. The “Cars for Homes” program, launched by Habitat for Humanity International in 2005, turns vehicles into cash to help build affordable housing in our local communities. In the last five years, communities from across the United States have donated over $72 million.

Cars for Homes is part of Habitat’s dedication to providing families with safe, affordable housing. Vehicles need not be running but must be intact and have inflated tires to be towed by our operators. Donated vehicles are resold with all proceeds going towards supporting our communities.

Donation is quick and easy and at no cost. Individuals may qualify for a tax deduction.

As we continue our current Home Build in Franklin, MA, we encourage our service area communities to consider vehicle donations to help support the project. A recent donor, Mary Montione, and her children Jimmy and Rachel of Mansfield, MA donated a van to Old Colony Habitat in January of 2026. 

Montione stated, “Our van holds many happy memories, and I was thrilled to donate it to OCHH. Although I’m on a tight budget, I believe in contributing what I can, when I can. It always saddens me to see people struggle with housing. I hope this small gift helps support someone’s journey toward the security, stability, and joy of having a home and being part of a caring community”.

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity supports families in 24 local cities and towns in Bristol and Norfolk counties. We are in the process of converting the former South Franklin Congressional Meeting House into the next Habitat home. Vehicle donations will directly support the construction costs of this project and other homes. The current Home Build is expected to be completed in June 2026.

To learn more about the Cars for Homes donation program or to donate a vehicle to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit our webpage here: Cars for Homes - Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, or call our hotline at 1-877-277-4344 to begin the easy and free process of donating your car.

For more information about Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, visit https://linktr.ee/oldcolonyhabitat.

Mission:

Dedicated to providing decent and affordable housing in partnership with families in need, Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is all of us working together, partnering with families to improve their housing, locally and around the world. Building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter

Franklin Food Pantry reminds folks to ensure food safety and prevent waste, please follow the guidelines on what to donate

IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT ACCEPT PERISHABLE ITEMS INCLUDING TURKEYS

It's nearly Thanksgiving and we are immensely grateful for our community's generosity.

If you are planning to donate to The Pantry, please read the following important information:

Franklin Food Pantry reminds folks to ensure
food safety and prevent waste, please
follow the guidelines on what to donate

To ensure food safety and prevent waste, please DO NOT leave any of the following perishable items in our donation bin. Items left will be thrown away, which may result in a cost to The Pantry.

Meats (frozen, raw, cooked): Poultry, pork, beef, deli meat, etc.

Refrigerated/Frozen Items: Milk, juice, eggs, etc.

Fresh Produce: Potatoes, lettuce, carrots, fresh fruit, etc.

Home-Prepared Items: Leftovers, casseroles, baked goods, etc.

COMPLETE DONATIONS GUIDELINES HERE: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/donation-guidelines/

WE ACCEPT SHELF STABLE ITEMS!

We happily accept factory-sealed, non-expired items like canned yams, cranberry sauce, and boxed stuffing!

FIND OUR FULL NEEDS LIST & WEBSITE HERE: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get.../pantry-needs/

Town Council hears the SNETT and Franklin Ridge transactions are complete, accepts Elks Riders donation in last session (audio)

FM #1574 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1574 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The Council held the last session of its legislative term as scheduled at 7 PM. All 9 Councilors were present in Chambers for this session.

 

Quick recap:

• Approximately the first 45 minutes of the meeting were taken up with multiple citizen comments, many on the 444 East Central development proposal which while one of their complaints is that the Council doesn't listen to them, also ironically indicates that they haven't listened or don't understand the meaning of due process

• One comment revealed the first annual Caregiver Appreciation day scheduled for Nov 7 at the Senior Center from 11 - 3 PM. (Note, on that the day the regular Senior Center activities are canceled)

• Appointments to the Agricultural Commission - Jennifer Sweeney (Associate Seat) and to the Council on Aging - Roberta Trahan were both approved by 9-0 votes

• The Public Hearing, originally scheduled for Oct 15, and continued to this date, was opened and eventually closed with no public or Council comments on the multiple modifications of a Section 15 Package Store All Alcoholic Beverages License: Change of License Manager... Doing business as Liquor World. The measure was approved by 9-0 vote

• The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery by a 9-0 vote

• Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department. Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check for $2000 from this year's rides

• Resolution 25-70: Adoption of Cannabis licensing Local Approval Process and Cannabis Social Equity Policy (Motion to Approve Resolution 25-70 - Majority Vote) Moved, second. The proposal is modeled after that of Shrewsbury as they are the only 1 approved now, 100+ communities remain to develop one and get theirs approved.  This is an example of additional revenue from cannabis, almost $.5m yearly total. NETA has done well here

• Gift acceptance, $10,000 from Adirondack Club

• Resolution 25-67: Expenditure Limits for FY2026 on Departmental Revolving Funds Established by Franklin Town Code Chapter 73, as Provided in MGL Chapter 44, §53 E½, as Amended (Electric Vehicle Charging Stations) approved by 9-0 vote, may need to adjusted upward as time goes and action on this revenue stream increases

• From the Town Administrator's Report 

• Purchase of the SNETT extension is complete, now owned by the Town, Work remains to be funded and completed but the registry of deeds has the record of ownership

• Formally closed on Franklin Ridge, contracts going out to bid, info sessions in the spring on lottery process etc. Construction once begun is anticipated to go 18-24 months

• Approximately, the remaining 40 minutes of the meeting were Councilor Comments reflecting on accomplishments for this term, recognition of the 3 not running for re-election, etc.

The recording runs about 2 hours & 5 minutes

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1574-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-29-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIgSJh9fWjA

The agenda and associated documents for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10292025-1978

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XVFpF-Gf2ULj1avVodFT4RXGkXMvWvg5/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department.
Veterans Service Officer, Shannon Nisbett received the check

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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!

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

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

Lyn talks about the Caregivers Appreciation Day scheduled for Friday, Nov 7 at the Franklin Senior Center (audio)

FM #1567 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1567 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Lyn O’Brien, Chair of the Council on Aging.  We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• Her nursing career serving folks at home 

• Caregivers Appreciation Day - Nov 7, 2025 

• 11 AM to 3 PM

• At the Franklin Senior Center

• Free Hourly raffles, 40 + vendors

• Information on taking care of your loved one

Note: Regularly scheduled events at the Senior Center on this day are cancelled to allow this to happen. Thanks to the Town of Franklin & the Senior Center for doing so

The recording runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1567-caregivers-

appreciation-day-10-29-25/

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Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging 

Caregiver Appreciation Day flyer (download as a reminder or to share)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17x0RVnpS5X6j9qop_9-bytRZMlA0iKr7/view?usp=drive_link

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

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 it!

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

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