Showing posts with label food elves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food elves. Show all posts

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Food Elves Inspire “Fresh” Approach to Food Drive - Community Response Overwhelming

When more than 130 Franklin Food Elves set out to collect gifts from their neighbors for the Franklin Food Pantry for the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign, their load was lighter than the year before. But that’s what they hoped for.
Erin Lynch, left, Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director, and Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf
Erin Lynch, left, Franklin Food Pantry
Executive Director, and Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf

The Elves encouraged more monetary donations this year so the Pantry could purchase fresh food for clients. The community rallied behind the Food Elves’ appeal and donated $13,273 and 3,696 pounds of food. Last year’s total yield from the Food Elves’ drive from residents was $1,943 and 8,001 pounds of food.

“This was an extraordinary effort by the Food Elves,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “And our community responded with such generosity. The monetary donations will allow us to purchase nutrient-rich food to supplement the canned and boxed food donations that were collected. The high cost of fresh food is often a barrier to wholesome nutrition for the families we serve.”

With monetary donations, the Pantry can purchase fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meats. As a Greater Boston Food Bank partner, the Pantry purchases items at a fraction of what it costs in the grocery store, therefore making donation dollars stretch even further.
Lead Food Elves Ellie Teixeira (left) and Julia Buccella distributed red bins to 11 Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses
Lead Food Elves Ellie Teixeira (left) and Julia Buccella
distributed red bins to 11 Franklin Downtown
Partnership member businesses

In addition to neighborhood collections, the elves placed red food donation bins at the following local businesses: Chestnut Dental Associates, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma's Quilt Cupboard, Feet In Motion School of Dance, Franklin Agway, Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, Franklin Mill Store, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, and Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits. As part of their commitment to the Food Elves, the business partners have also pledged to donate $200 each to the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group comprised of more than 130 dedicated elementary, middle and high school students. This was the eleventh year of the neighborhood drive, and the sixth year the elves partnered with local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. The food and cash will help sustain the pantry’s 504 client families through the winter.



Monday, November 28, 2016

In the News: Holiday Stroll set for Thursday; Food Elves kick off new drive

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With Thanksgiving over, the Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing to kick off the holiday season with its much-anticipated Holiday Stroll next week. 
The event, set for Thursday, Dec. 1, 4:15-7 p.m., will include a tree lighting, carols and other holiday festivities. 
The first celebration of the season will take place in the town's newly upgraded downtown business district, with Main Street closed to traffic for the duration to give revelers a chance for a leisurely stroll among the attractions on Main, West Central, East Central and Summer streets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161127/franklin-downtown-partnership-planning-holiday-stroll/1

new seasonal banners up on the street lights in downtown Franklin
new seasonal banners up on the street lights in downtown Franklin


"After their "12 Days of Donating" drive last year garnered more than four tons of food, the Franklin "Food Elves" are gearing up for another run this December. 
Though the group hopes to once again near or beat that total, it's monetary donations that will be the focus of this year's effort. 
The drive, now in its 11th year, is run by local students - the "Food Elves" - to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161127/franklin-12-days-of-donating-drive-to-start-dec-1

Sunday, November 27, 2016

“12 Days of Donating” campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry on December 1. This year’s collection drive marks 11 years that the Food Elves have helped neighbors in need during the holiday season.

The Food Elves were created in 2006 when Melissa and Cameron Piana began collecting donations in a wagon in their neighborhood. This tradition continues with Ellie Teixeira as lead Food Elf who took over this legacy last year from Cameron. More than 120 school-aged elves and 12 local businesses raised more than four tons (8,001 pounds) of goods and $11,000 for the Food Pantry. This year the Elves are asking for more monetary gifts because it gives the Pantry greater flexibility to meet community need.

“We are looking forward to building on the success the Food Elves have had, and this year we hope to raise more money. The Food Pantry can buy food at a much lower price than others can. And, they can buy exactly what they need for their clients,” says Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf.


left to right, are Erin Lynch, Pantry executive director, and Lead Food Elves Ellie Teixeira and Julia Buccella. Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira
left to right, are Erin Lynch, Food Pantry executive director, and Lead Food Elves Ellie Teixeira
and Julia Buccella. (Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira)

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group comprised of more than 120 dedicated elementary, middle and high school students. This will be the sixth year the elves have partnered with local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Each year the 12 Days campaign brings in food and cash to help sustain the pantry’s 504 client families through the winter.

In December the Food Elves will notify their neighbors about collection dates, instructions and items needed. The elves make it easy to donate; residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated dates, and the elves pick up and deliver the goods to the Pantry. If residents prefer to make a monetary donation, Food Elves captains will also give instructions on how funds will be handled in their neighborhood.

“The Pantry has some lean months after the holidays, when end-of-year giving subsides and food drives happen less frequently,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry.

“We count on the Food Elves to bring in the donations that help carry us through the winter months, a time when families who are struggling to put food on their tables face even harder times because of higher energy costs. We are so grateful for the hard work of the Food Elves and the gifts they bring to us,” she adds.

Lynch is hoping that more people give monetary donations. “We can purchase food from the Greater Boston Food Bank at a fraction of what it costs in the grocery store. We are able to supplement food donations with more nutritious and fresh food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats.”

In case there’s no Food Elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. Participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses all across town will have red collection bins at their locations. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business has pledged to donate at least $200 to the 12 Days of Donating drive. A list of businesses hosting red bins will be posted on the Food Elves Facebook page and the FDP website and Facebook page.

A red collection bin will also be set up at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 1, at 4 p.m. Event goers can drop off donations there, or at the Food Pantry, 43 W. Central St. Please designate donations made at the Pantry as Food Elves.

The Food Pantry’s greatest needs currently are personal care items such as deodorant, shampoo, liquid hand soap, toilet paper and feminine products. To make an online donation in honor of the Food Elves, visit the Pantry’s website, franklinfoodpantry.org. Please mention Food Elves in the donation form’s acknowledgement box. For more information call 508-528-3115.

Any student interested in becoming a Food Elf should contact Ellie Teixeira at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com.

To learn more about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page. Information can also be found at franklindowntownpartnership.org and on the FDP’s Facebook page.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Franklin Food Elves Bring in Record Donations – Again!

The Franklin Food Elves did it again! The final donation numbers are in, and the Elves are pleased to announce that the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than four tons (or 8,001 pounds) of goods, and more than $11,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry. 
These numbers beat last year’s record totals by more than 1,500 pounds of food, and nearly $3,000. The success was due to the hard work of more than 120 Food Elves, along with tremendous support from the community and local businesses. The Food Elves, increasing by 35 elves this year, has grown every year in popularity among local elementary, middle and high school students.  
Campaign volunteers sort through donations collected in the drive. Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira
Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira
As the Food Elves canvassed local neighborhoods for food and monetary donations, Franklin businesses did their part by placing donation bins at their locations and pledging cash donations to support the cause. 
Those businesses included Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists, Medical Spa and The Adirondack Club. 
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we received this year from the Franklin Food Elves, member businesses of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, and our community,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanks to the hard work of the Food Elves, we will be able to continue helping our families who are struggling to put food on their tables.” 
For the first time, the Food Elves gave residents the option of making monetary donations in addition to, or in lieu of, food. Monetary gifts allow the Pantry to supplement food donations with more nutritious and fresh food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. 
“The response was incredible,” said Lynch. “Not only did we break all records in the amount of food we received, we are able to supplement the nonperishable donations with fresh, protein-rich and nutritious foods. We could not be more grateful.”
For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, or a list of its current needs, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

In the News: 'Tis the Season, Hancock sponsors marathon documentary, food elves in 10th year

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Franklin Performing Arts Company will present “’Tis the Season!,” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak St. 
The production will feature members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band, with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, Motown and gospel to pop, jazz and Broadway. First staged by FPAC in 1995, “’Tis the Season!” returns with a large cast of area performers to entertain audiences.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151203/NEWS/151208865/1994/NEWS


The first official documentary on the Boston Marathon is set to be released next fall. 
Filmmakers were in Hopkinton in 2014 as the start line was being painted by Jack LeDuc and the elite Kenyan runners visited Elmwood Elementary School for their annual pep rally. Of course, they were at the start to film the first race after the 2013 bombings. 
On Thursday, John Hancock Financial announced they will partner with LA Roma Films to be the title sponsor of BOSTON, the first ever feature-length documentary film about the race.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151203/NEWS/151208241/1994/NEWS
Note: I am pleased to be fully employed by John Hancock.


A local charitable group has kicked off its "12 Years of Donating" campaign this week, looking to exceed the more than three tons of food it donated to the Franklin Food Pantry last year. 
The campaign, in its 10th year, is manned by a group of local schoolchildren: the Franklin Food Elves. This year marks the highest number of volunteers, officials said, with 115 students volunteering.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151203/NEWS/151207989/1994/NEWS

Thursday, December 3, 2015

In the News: 12 Days of Donating, Adult Ed registration opens, MassDEP provides food guidance, Tri-County holiday buffet

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Franklin Food Elves kicked off the “12 Days of Donating” campaign on Dec. 1 to benefit the Food Pantry. Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses are collecting goods and monetary donations. 
The Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 90 students from Franklin schools. This year, 10 local businesses are participating in the 12 Days drive. Each business has a red collection bin on site and will donate $200 if the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209396/1994/NEWS



Registration is open for the winter semester at the Center for Adult Education and Community Learning in Franklin. Classes begin on Jan. 11. 
Participation is open to individuals and businesses in Franklin and the surrounding region towns.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209399/1994/NEWS


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is putting a new emphasis on donating food versus trashing food. 
This November, RecyclingWorks, an organization funded by MassDEP, launched their "Food Donation Guidance for Massachusetts Businesses" page on the RecyclingWorks website. 
"We were getting a noticeably increased volume of requests to get assistance for starting an effective donation program," said Lorenzo Macaluso, director of Green Business Services with RecyclingWorks. "The feedback we were getting was that corporations were having lots of questions on how to do it safely and legally." 
RecyclingWorks connects businesses with services and resources to help them create or expand green operations, like recycling, composting and diverting food waste.
recycling works webpage header
recycling works webpage header

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151201/NEWS/151209165/1994/NEWS



Gerry’s Place, the student-run restaurant at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, 147 Pond. St., will host an annual International Holiday Buffet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9. 
The buffet will cost $9.95. No reservations will be taken. Menu offerings include: latkes, cider-glazed root vegetables, Moroccan saffron chicken, Guatemalan potato and green bean salad, Parisienne potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and roast pork with prune, pine nut and spinach stuffing.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151209134/1994/NEWS

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Franklin Businesses Participate in '12 Days of Donating'


Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Franklin Downtown Partnership. Don't forget to add downtown.franklin@yahoo.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!









Franklin Downtown Partnership 
9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038



Press Release:  10 Businesses Participate in
'12 Days of Donating' Campaign
Food Elves Donation Bin

The Franklin Food Elves kick off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign on Tuesday, December 1, to benefit the Food Pantry, and Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses are doing their part to help collect goods and monetary donations.  

The Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 90 students from Franklin schools. This year 10 local businesses are participating in the 12 Days drive. Each business has a red collection bin on site and will donate $200 if the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:
  • Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
  • DCU, 500 West Central St.
  • Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
  • Dean College, Campus Center
  • Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
  • Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
  • Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
  • Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
  • Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
  • The Adirondack Club, 800 Chestnut St.

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
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Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St. | Franklin | MA | 02038

Saturday, November 21, 2015

In the News: FPAC holiday performances, food elves are back!

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Franklin Performing Arts Company will stage three productions this holiday season, featuring Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” and the original FPAC musicals, “Snow White and the Seven Elves” and “’Tis the Season!” 
Franklin Performing Arts Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” is presented with professional orchestra, special guest artists and over 100 area dancers. FPAC will present “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak St. 
Franklin Performing Arts Company’s family-friendly musical “Snow White and the Seven Elves” debuts this season at The Black Box, 15 West Central St. Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151120/NEWS/151129199/1994/NEWS


Franklin Food Pantry
Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry on Dec. 1. This year’s collection drive marks 10 years that the Food Elves have helped neighbors in need during the holiday season. 
The Food Elves were created in 2006 when Melissa and Cameron Piana began collecting donations in a wagon in their neighborhood. Last year more than 90 school-aged "elves" and 14 local businesses collected 7,020 pounds of goods and raised $8,500 for the food pantry. This year the pantry acquired additional warehouse space to accommodate the expected donations. 
“We are looking forward to building on the success the Food Elves have had, and this year we hope to raise more money. The food pantry can buy a lot with those funds, and we hope to surpass last year’s dollar totals,” says Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151120/NEWS/151128978

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Food Elves Bring in Record Donations

The Franklin Food Elves are pleased to announce that the final donation numbers are in and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than three tons (or 6,400 pounds) of goods and $8,500 for the Franklin Food Pantry.
(L-R) Food Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch at the Franklin Food Pantry in December 2014.
More than 90 Food Elves collected from over 30 Franklin neighborhoods, the most volunteers in the history of the Franklin Food Elves. They worked in conjunction with local businesses that set up collection bins at their locations around town.
“We’d like to thank all of residents of Franklin who donated to our campaign this year. We also would like to thank the elves who worked hard to bring the donations in, and the businesses that helped fill the donation bins at their locations,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.
The Franklin Food Elves was co-founded by Melissa and Cameron Piana 9 years ago and has grown each year.  Since the beginning the organization has brought in a total of 10 tons (20,380 pounds) of food donations and over $25,700 for the Franklin Food Pantry.
Local businesses were deeply involved in this year’s campaign. DCU gave a check for $5,000, and 15 other businesses pledged a $200 cash donation and donated time and bin space to the cause.
Those businesses included Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, Berry Insurance, British Beer Company, Dean Bank, Dean College, Drama Kids of Metro West, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Printsmart Office Products, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, RE/MAX Executive Realty, and Yellin & Hyman, P.C. 

For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292




Sunday, December 21, 2014

'12 Days of Donating' - preliminary results


The Franklin Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership are pleased to announce that the preliminary numbers are in and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than three tons (or 6,000 pounds) of goods and $8,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry.


(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-Founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch
(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-Founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch

More than 90 Food Elves collected from their Franklin neighbors, the most volunteers in the history of the Franklin Food Elves. They worked in conjunction with local businesses that set up collection bins at their locations around town.


Some of the donations dropped off at the Food Pantry
Some of the donations dropped off at the Food Pantry

“We’d like to thank all of residents of Franklin who donated to our campaign this year. We also would like to thank the elves that worked hard to bring the donations in, and the businesses that helped fill the donation bins at their locations. We are excited to see the totals because we still have more donations coming in,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

Student volunteers weigh donations
Student volunteers weigh donations

Local businesses were deeply involved in this year’s campaign. DCU gave a check for $5,000, and 15 other businesses pledged a $200 cash donation and donated time and bin space to the cause.

Those businesses included Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, Berry Insurance, British Beer Company, Dean Bank, Dean College, Drama Kids of Metro West, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Printsmart Office Products, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, RE/MAX Executive Realty, and Yellin & Hyman, P.C.


For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.


This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/12/12-days-of-donating-preliminary-totals.html

Thursday, December 11, 2014

'Tis the Season for Giving!

“We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give.”
― Winston S. Churchill


Giving is as easy as 1, 2, 3

1 - You can give to help provide cupcakes for our December holiday meal. Visit The Cake Bar today to help out with the cupcake order.  
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/lets-add-cupcakes-to-holiday-ham-dinners.html

2 - Make a reservation with Nice Car Care for your vehicle to get serviced. 5% of the profits from the services they provide during the month of December will come to the Food Pantry. 
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/nice-car-care-gives-back-to-families-in.html

3 - The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the "12 Days of Donating" campaign. From December 1 through December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/franklin-downtown-partnership-and-food.html


And if you prefer, you can also give directly via this secure online donation link


Donate securely here
Donate securely here


This post was shared from the Food Pantry page here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/tis-season-for-giving.html

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

"12 Days of Donating"


Help the Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses and the Franklin Food Elves collect goods for the Franklin Food Pantry. The "12 Days of Donating" collection campaign started Monday!


some of the Franklin Food Elves at the Food Pantry
some of the Franklin Food Elves at the Food Pantry

This year's goal is to meet or exceed last year's record-breaking collection totals -- $6,700 and 7,357 pounds of goods! 

Elves will be collecting in neighborhoods for the next two weeks. You can also donate at these participating locations:
  • Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
  • British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
  • DCU, 500 West Central St.
  • Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
  • Dean College, Campus Center
  • Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
  • Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
  • Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
  • Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
  • Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
  • Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
  • Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
  • RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
  • Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201
Thank you for your support of the Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin Downtown Partnership

Monday, November 24, 2014

Franklin Food Elves ‘12 Days of Donating’ Kicks off December 1

The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Franklin Food Pantry. From December 1 to December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 75 hard-working middle school and high school students. For the past three years they have partnered with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Last year the “12 Days of Donating” campaign brought in more than $6,700 and 7,300 pounds of goods.

2014 Food Elves (L-R): Project 351 Ambassador Rebekah Redwine, YCIC's Dan Robert, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch, Head Elf Cameron Piana, Lead Elf Haley Frank

“People have been incredibly generous year after year donating to the Food Elves campaign. What we bring in helps 600 Franklin families that rely on the Food Pantry’s services. We are grateful that our community keeps exceeding our expectations,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

In December the Food Elves will notify residents about the collection drive in their neighborhood, including information about what items are needed and the collection dates. Residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated pickup dates and the Food Elves will do the rest.

In case there’s no elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. The group has placed bright red collection bins at participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business listed below has pledged to donate $200.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:

  • Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
  • British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
  • DCU, 500 West Central St.
  • Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
  • Dean College, Campus Center
  • Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
  • Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
  • Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
  • Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
  • Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
  • Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
  • Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
  • RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
  • Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

Also donating to the Food Elves campaign are Berry Insurance and Printsmart Office Solutions.

Look for a donation bin at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 4, or drop off donations at the Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central St., and designate them for the “12 Days of Donating” drive.

This year the Food Elves also are collaborating with the Youth Community Involvement Club at Franklin High School and Project 351 at Horace Mann Middle School. Project 351 is a state-wide community service project and Food Elf volunteer Rebekah Redwine is this year’s Franklin ambassador.

“With a cold winter on the way, family budgets are stretched and more people need the Food Pantry’s services,” says Haley Frank, a lead Food Elf. “We are proud that this great group of students working with local businesses can make a huge, positive impact for Franklin.”

Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director, concurs; she cites a recent Lowell Sun story that states National Grid rates on November 1 increased 37 percent over last winter.

“Families who are already struggling will be hit once again when electric rates skyrocket,” says Lynch. “What these students accomplish is vital. The spirit of the Food Elves has captured the hearts of this community. We are so grateful for the amazing support that keeps multiplying through the hard work of these young leaders.”

This year the Food Pantry’s needs include health and hygiene products and non-perishable food items. For more information check the Food Pantry’s website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/, or call 508-528-3115.

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292


This was re-shared from http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/11/food-elves-press-release_21.html#sthash.iZdwx75g.dpuf