7th Annual Empty Bowls Event - May 19

7^h Annual Empty Bowls Event 

to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry  

 

Annual Event Back In-Person with Traditional Soup and Bread Dinner 

 

 

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will again host an Empty Bowls dinner to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry on Thursday May 19. The event will take place at Franklin High School in the cafeteria from 6 to 8 PM. The club partners with the Franklin Food Pantry to create hand-made empty bowls to give to attendees as a reminder of the many "empty bowls" that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.  

The event will feature a traditional soup and bread dinner, ceramic bowls to take home that the students have made, an online and in-person art auction, and a giving wall.  Attendees can purchase tickets online (http://weblink.donorperfect.com/EmptyBowlsTicketSales2022) until noon on Thursday, May 19.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or check only.  The online auction will open on May 18 at midnight and will run through 

June 1. 

 

"After two years of smaller events, we are so excited to be able to bring back Empty Bowls in its original intent," said Tina Powderly, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. "It's a wonderful way to raise awareness about our neighbors in need while partnering with the community.  We could not run this event without the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and FHS Art Teacher Brenna Johnson. Brenna works tirelessly with the students to educate them about hunger in the community – awareness that they take forward in life after school - and helps them to create beautiful bowls for guests to take home."  

Johnson said, "I love Empty Bowls and it's one of the best things I have ever been a part of!  As a teacher, I'm so glad I can help students learn that they can make a difference in the lives of so many families with their art."

 

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally.

For more information about the event, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115. To sponsor the event please visit here. 

 

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club 

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hunger initiatives in local communities. The objective of the Empty Bowls Club is to teach students of all ages that they can make a difference in their local community. Club members, their families, coupled with the Franklin community spend the year making ceramic bowls by hand. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a fundraiser at FHS. All funds raised at this event are donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry.  

 

About the Franklin Food Pantry  

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners.  

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. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages.  

The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.   

7th Annual Empty Bowls Event - May 19

Empty Bowls fund raising dinner scheduled for May 19

"Save the DATE! Empty Bowls cannot wait to host its annual fundraiser for the first time in TWO years. Let's do this Franklin!"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1504844524882903053 

When: May 19, 2022 from 6 PM to 8 PM
Where: FHS cafeteria

  

Empty Bowls fund raising dinner scheduled for May 19

Multiple FCC grants to catch up with: Farmers Market, Cultural District, Empty Bowls, and Girls Scouts

Catching up to some of the earlier Franklin Cultural Council grant awards

First up! We're so excited to be funding MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT for the Franklin Farmer's Market again this season! https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/264940412418740

"We’re happy to announce that the Franklin Cultural DISTRICT has been awarded a grant to support the 2nd annual “ARTwalk” celebration this summer!

Last June this was an incredible 3-day event that featured visual arts, live performances and creative events all over the town. It’s a don’t-miss event this June!"

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/264940412418740 

 

"We’re happy to announce that the Franklin High School's "EMPTY BOWLS" club has been awarded a grant to support their work to fight hunger.

Under the tireless tutelage of art teacher Brenna Johnson, Empty Bowls participates in an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. Brenna assists students in making hundreds of ceramic bowls each year. The students give away bowls at each year's fundraiser as a reminder that "somewhere, someone's bowl is empty".

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/265417575704357

 

"We happy to share that the Franklin Girl Scouts have been awarded a grant for their program "Outdoor Art Explorer". Franklin Girl Scouts will take a guided tour through deCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Ma to learn about outdoor art. The group will later develop an outdoor art piece and have it placed in the Franklin Sculpture Park. Congrats   to the Franklin Girl Scouts!"

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/267262658853182

Multiple FCC grants to catch up with: Farmers Market, Cultural District, Empty Bowls, and Girls Scouts

Empty Bowls Silent Auction closes out at 10 PM Monday, June 21

"What's still happening? The Empty Bowls Silent Auction & an opportunity to donate to the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Let's do this Franklin!! "

@FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinHS @GreaterBoston

Silent Auction =>  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

Shared from Twitter: -> https://t.co/iY7LxvFMuW

Empty Bowls Silent Auction closes out at 10 PM Monday, June 21

What’s still happening? The EB Silent Auction & an opportunity to donate to the Franklin Food Pantry. Let’s do this Franklin!! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinHS @GreaterBoston https://t.co/3tOjQiAyUr pic.twitter.com/iY7LxvFMuW

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 18, 2021

Update: Empty Bowls virtual auction ends -> June 21, 2021 at 10 PM

If you haven't got a bid in for one or more of the fabulous ceramic works of art, please make the time to do so.

"Good news! We are extending the deadline for the Empty Bowls auction until Monday, June 21 !!!!!! Get your bids in and don't miss your chance to own a one of a kind ceramic piece AND help The Pantry! "

Auction web page -> https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

Listen to "Inside the Empty Bowls 2021 preparations"

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/fm-561-inside-empty-bowls-2021-060821.html 

All this to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. You can donate directly to the Pantry on the Empty Bowls page or at the Pantry page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Come bid on these one of a kind hand-made items. #emptybowls

Empty Bowls silent/virtual auction ends June 21, 2021 at 10 PM

If you haven't got a bid in for one or more of the fabulous ceramic works of art, please make the time to do so before the auction closes out Thursday, Jun 17 at 10 PM.

"Good news! We are extending the deadline for the Empty Bowls auction until Monday, June 21!!!!!! Get your bids in and don't miss your chance to own a one of a kind ceramic piece AND help The Pantry! "

Auction web page -> https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

Listen to "Inside the Empty Bowls 2021 preparations"

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/fm-561-inside-empty-bowls-2021-060821.html 

All this to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. You can donate directly to the Pantry on the Empty Bowls page or at the Pantry page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Come bid on these one of a kind hand-made items. #emptybowls

FM #561 - Inside Empty Bowls 2021 - 06/08/21

FM #561 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 561 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club. Brenna Johnson, FHS ceramics teacher and club advisor. The students introduce themselves: Sydney Brady, Emma Owens, and Lauren Wilson. 

We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period. We talk about the nature of this event and making bowls for it. We find out that raku is a special clay firing process.

The silent auction website link is included in the show notes. Be sure to register before you start bidding. You can also visit the page to make a donation to the Franklin Food Pantry  Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cb0066da-0566-4864-af6f-d248fb5696f9

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

Empty Bowls page -> https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls6/home

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

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

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 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"

 

Picked up my Empty Bowl and happened to meet Emily and Abby on the way out of FHS. They had collaborated to make it! 

Watch Rep Jeff Roy talk about "Empty Bowls 2021" on YouTube

State Representative Jeffrey Roy talks about the importance of the Empty Bowls event this week.

Video link ->  https://youtu.be/SSHCZGmRmXw

Link to buy tickets for Empty Bowls ->   https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?

meet Abby and Julia at the Empty Bowls Silent Auction - Jun 10

Via Brenna Johnson: 

"Interested in the Empty Bowls Silent Auction launching on Thursday, June 10th at 4:30PM online? Well, meet Abby and Julia who have worked together for the last 2 years donating their time in making special objects for the online and in person Silent Auction. While Empty Bowls (EB) is loosing Julia to Northeastern University next year, I cannot tell you how proud I am of this dynamic duos commitment to EB. They have made a set of 4 mugs for the auction and pictures will be posted online next week!

To meet these EB members, select bowls, or to make a direct donation to the Franklin Food Pantry please register for the event using the link in my bio.

At the event, masks required! in 30 minute groups, community members can look at and bid on the Silent Auction and select handmade bowls. There will be no food this year. Let's do this FRANKLIN!"

Link to buy tickets for Empty Bowls  https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?

Shared from Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CPrQIltDzYA/?utm_medium=copy_link

Abby and Julia - Empty Bowls club (photo by Brenna Johnson)

Empty Bowls - modified fund raiser - June 10

Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) tweeted on Thu, Jun 03, 2021:

On Thursday June 10th, EB will host a modified fundraiser at FHS in room 138 (No Food.) 

See the classroom, bid on the Silent Auction, meet club members, make a difference!!! 

@FHS_EmptyBowls @FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters #emptybowls
https://t.co/qtfO67qDJj 

Get your ticket or contribute to the cause
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/empty-bowls-sponsors-2021/

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1400584059722551297

Empty Bowls - modified fund raiser - June 10

Empty Bowls Event - June 10, 2021

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will host a reimagined Empty Bowls event on June 10. 

The event will take place at Franklin High School in the ceramics studio from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. 

The club partners with the Franklin Food Pantry to create hand-made empty bowls to give to attendees as a reminder of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

Shared from Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/271942328017077/permalink/271942344683742/

Empty Bowls Event - June 10, 2021

6th Annual Empty Bowls Event Moves to Hybrid

6th Annual Empty Bowls Event Moves to Hybrid to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will host a reimagined Empty Bowls event on June 10. The event will take place at Franklin High School in the ceramics studio from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. The club partners with the Franklin Food Pantry to create hand-made empty bowls to give to attendees as a reminder of the many "empty bowls" that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

 

This year attendees will sign up for a time and order their ticket online. The Empty Bowls club asks that all attendees be masked and practice social distancing while at the event. Club members will escort guests to the ceramic studio at set time and guests can choose their bowl and peruse the unique hand-made auction items. 

 

Bidding will take place online. The auction will feature advanced clay pieces that have been created by current and recently graduated FHS Empty Bowls Club members. The auction will open June 10 at midnight and will run through June 20.

 

"Empty Bowls remains an important event for The Pantry. It's a wonderful way to raise awareness about our neighbors in need while partnering with community," said Tina Powderly, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. "We could not run this event without the partnership with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and FHS Art Teacher Brenna Johnson. "Brenna works tirelessly with the students to educate them about hunger in the community and help them to create beautiful bowls for guests to take home."  

 

Johnson said, "There are so many layers to Empty Bowls and I'm fortunate to work with amazing students who are willing to donate their time and talent to making the bowls that symbolize the food insecurity that so many in our community face. As a teacher, I'm so glad I have the opportunity to help students learn that with their art they can make a difference."

 

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. For more information about the event, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115. 

 

This event would not be possible without our sponsors. Thank you to those who have contributed. If you would like to sponsor the event please visit here (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=40).

6th Annual Empty Bowls Event Moves to Hybrid

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hunger initiatives in local communities. The objective of the Empty Bowls Club is to teach students of all ages that they can make a difference in their local community. Club members, their families, coupled with the Franklin community spend the year making ceramic bowls by hand. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a fundraiser at FHS. All funds raised at this event are donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,400 individuals. During the Covid-19 pandemic, The Pantry has moved to a curbside distribution. Clients receive a bag of shelf-stable items, fresh produce and a choice of proteins along with specialized bags for children under 18. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding for operations. Other programs include delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin elementary and middle school children in need, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Distinguished Service Award from MAEA for FHS' Brenna M. Johnson

Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) tweeted on Mon, Jan 11, 2021:

I am honored to share that I received the Distinguished Service Award from MAEA. This award is born out of the continued support of amazing colleagues, a strong administrative team, and phenomenal students who make going to work each day easy & inspiring. Thank You! @MassArtEd

Shared from Twitter:   https://t.co/Vx7R1ZmC2t

Among the many good things Ms Johnson does for FHS, she is the coordinator of the student Empty Bowls Club. The Empty Bowls Club is working on bowls for this year's fund raising effort. 
 

You can listen to the interview we did last year as they pivoted to do a virtual event instead of the empty bowls dinner. 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-263-fhs-empty-bowl-club-stars-50420.html

Distinguished Service Award from MAEA

MAEA Newsletter features article on the FHS Empty Bowls

Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) tweeted at 3:04 PM on Sat, Jul 18, 2020:

"Need something to read??? There's a great article on the FHS Empty Bowls Club in MAEA's recent publication co-written by recent grad Drew Conrad! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinPSart @FranklinHS #artedmatters #arted #MassArtEd"

(https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1284564691788996608?s=03)

Need something to read??? There’s a great article on the FHS Empty Bowls Club in MAEA’s recent publication co-written by recent grad Drew Conrad! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinPSart @FranklinHS #artedmatters #arted #MassArtEd https://t.co/7DBVXzZvPi

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) July 18, 2020

The MAEA newsletter
https://massarted.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NewsletterSummer2020v2.pdf

or here

Empty Bowls raises more then $9,000 for Franklin Food Pantry

"A HUGE thank you to everyone who made this years Empty Bowls fundraiser possible💜Together, we raised $9,000 total between the fundraiser and sponsorships. On behalf of the Empty Bowls club, we would like to say thank you to the Franklin community and to everyone who has helped."

A HUGE thank you to everyone who made this years Empty Bowls fundraiser possible💜Together, we raised $9,000 total between the fundraiser and sponsorships. On behalf of the Empty Bowls club, we would like to say thank you to the Franklin community and to everyone who has helped. pic.twitter.com/UCn8wR9nW1

— FHS Empty Bowls (@FHS_EmptyBowls) June 15, 2020

Found via Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHS_EmptyBowls/status/1272589091381678081?s=09

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Rep Jeff Roy; Watch "Empty Bowls" on YouTube

Representative Jeff Roy talks about the Empty Bowls event this week

YouTube link = https://youtu.be/Ar35in5eEdY

Auction link opened June 8:  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual June 8

On Monday EB begins a virtual "Week of Giving" for the Franklin Food Pantry with an online auction & any direct donation receives a handmade bowl. Let's do this! Below is a raku fired piece made by AP3D! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan #emptybowls5 #raku #ap3d #fhsclaystudio pic.twitter.com/pEIzcx86hl

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Here's Megan Torrey, recent graduate of FHS & Empty Bowls Community Advisor talking about the upcoming EB virtual "Week of Giving" Mon, June 8th - Fri, June 12th. @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook #emptybowls5 pic.twitter.com/DsR2z8aL9q

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Shared via Twitter: (1)  https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269314932300042240?s=09

(2) https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269320932503494656

Auction link opens June 8:  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual

5th Annual Empty Bowls Event to Move to Virtual Week of Giving to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

5^th Annual Empty Bowls Event to Move to

Virtual Week of Giving

to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will host an online Week of Giving spanning Monday, June 8th – Friday, June 12, 2020. In the past, the club has partnered with the Franklin Food Pantry to deliver a simple meal of soup and bread served "soup-kitchen" style as a reminder of the many "empty bowls" that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

This year, there will be an online auction featuring advanced clay pieces that have been created by current and recently graduated FHS Empty Bowls Club members along with Claymark Studio based in Franklin, MA. The auction will open June 8 at 8:00 am and will run through June 12 8am. Then, any person making a direct donation made to the pantry during the Week of Giving will receive a handmade ceramic bowl.

According to Lynn Calling, the Pantry's Executive Director, "When the Pandemic began, we were in the midst of planning the 5th annual fundraiser. It became clear we needed to rethink the in-person event, but we still wanted to hold the fundraiser as an opportunity for our community to unite and to support our neighbors in need. The number of families counting on the Pantry is the highest it has been in five years, and we see new neighbors weekly. The need is very real."

Calling said the event would not be possible without the partnership of the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and FHS Art Teacher Brenna Johnson. Johnson said, "the club worked so hard this year and we were all looking forward to the 5th annual fundraiser so when FHS closed in March we wanted to find a way to still make this event happen." Since early April, club members have been making one-of-a-kind clay objects at home for the online auction and several club members and their families have glazed boxes of bowls at home as well; it's truly been a community effort the make the Week of Giving happen.

Special thanks to our Empty Bowls Sponsors: Grove Street Auto Repair, Keefe Insurance, QRGA, Time's Up and Vet Med. Thank you also to Whole Foods and Three Restaurant for donating the soup to our past events.

The auction will run from June 8 through June 12. Visit the website to bid on beautiful handmade ceramic items. All proceeds will go to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. For more information about the event, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.

# # #

About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hunger initiatives in local communities. The objective of the Empty Bowls Club is to teach students of all ages that they can make a difference in their local community. Club members, their families, coupled with the Franklin community spend the year making ceramic bowls by hand. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry co-host a community meal and fundraiser at FHS. All funds raised at this event are donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry. This year, The Empty Bowls Club has received grant support from the Franklin Cultural Council and the Walmart Foundation.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,100 individuals. Clients have access to bread and fresh produce daily during Pantry hours. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin elementary and middle school children in need, Carts for Clients to help clients transport groceries home, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Auction link opens June 8:
https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

5th Annual Empty Bowls Event to Move to Virtual Week of Giving to Benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

FM #263 FHS Empty Bowl Club Stars 5/04/20 (audio)

FM #263 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 263 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the FHS Empty Bowls Stars. Brenna Johnson, FHS ceramics teacher and club advisor. The stars introduce themselves: Allison Ivers, Breanna Atwood, and Drew Conrad. We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We started the discussion with the round of introductions and their work on the Empty Bowls Dinner. It would have been held Thursday, May 7 and due to the pandemic has shifted to a virtual event.

Posts on Thursday, May 7 will share photos and talk about the virtual event coming up the week of June 8-12

The “Week of Giving” virtual event will be held online. The site is still in development and will be shared when ready. It will enable donations to the Franklin Food Pantry for which you will receive a crafted bowl. There will also be an online auction for about 15 special pieces crafted for this event.

Support from the FHS Principal Paul Peri and Superintendent Sara Ahern has been key to enable this effort by the students for the Food Pantry.

The recording runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with the FHS Empty Bowls Stars   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrWy1yK7



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

Recap:
FHS Empty Bowls Club is still active albeit virtually working to complete some of the hand crafted ceramic bowls for the event now to be held virtually.

The virtual event called a “Week of Giving” is scheduled for June 8-12

• Direct Donations to the Franklin Food Pantry during the “Week of Giving” will receive a hand made bowl (The first 150 people)
• An auction online will also be held this week too. 15 hand crafted pieces made by current and recently graduated FHS students and Claymark Studio (Patricia & Larry Vintinner) for this event.

Stay tuned for more to come from the FHS Empty Bowls club

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 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"

an empty bowl

working with clay

Franklin Food Pantry: Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020

"We want to thank our community for the amazing show of support that they have shown us over the past few days. We're so grateful for your donations to help us to continue to serve our neighbors through this crisis.

The Coronavirus poses an even bigger health threat to our community's most vulnerable populations - low-income individuals and senior citizens - who can't afford to miss work or an extra trip to the grocery store. With schools closed and many people out of work, we expect to see an increased need for our services. If you haven't had an opportunity and are able to donate, we'd appreciate your help. You can easily donate online. Thank you again for your support.

While our doors will still be open to all who need us, we are making some changes to ensure safety among our guests. We are limiting those who enter The Pantry. Effective immediately we are suspending our volunteer hours and will have less staff working. We will offer no shopping within The Pantry.

Instead, we ask that our neighbors keep their appointments and drive up to The Pantry and a staff member will bring prepackaged bags to their car or through walk up services. We will offer the prepackaged bags through April 6 and will reevaluate the situation then.

We are working closely with town officials and school administration to get the word out to the community that we are here for those that need us and also to discuss programs, such as the weekend backpack program, that are impacted by school closures. We will keep the community updated as plans are finalized.

In addition we also will be postponing two of our large Spring fundraising events: The Party for The Pantry and Empty Bowls. We know many of you look forward to these events and we will keep you updated when we are able to reschedule them. Thank you to our Sponsors for their support.

Please follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry/

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org"

Regards,

Lynn Calling
Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry

Shared from the "Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020"
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/coronavirus-update-march-16-2020/

Franklin Food Pantry: Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020