The FUSF Food Justice Team invites you to Join us for a screening of “Common Ground” and a Potluck - Feb 22

https://commongroundfilm.org/

On Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM, the First Universalist Food Justice Team will be screening the award-winning film “Common Ground”, starring among others, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Jason Momoa and Danny Glover.  “By fusing journalistic expose’ with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. 

The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy”. 

Enjoy a potluck while watching or feel free to bring your own lunch.  Admission is free. The screening and post-film discussion will take place at the First Universalist Society at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin MA.    

Please also mark your calendars for March 8, 2026 when the discussion of regenerative agriculture farming practices continues with a discussion with Ali Coakley, proprietor, Night Owl Farm, Franklin MA.

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. For more information, please contact us at info@fusf.org or call 508-528-5348.  

14th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot raises a record-breaking $55,108 for the Franklin Food Pantry

The 14th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot took place Thanksgiving morning, drawing 1,015 registrants and raising more than $55,000 for the

Carolyn and Henry Kuehnel

Franklin Food Pantry. All of the money raised will support The Pantry’s programs and services, which provided food assistance to individuals and families nearly 27,000 times last year. The annual Thanksgiving morning fun-run is organized in conjunction with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Franklin. 

The money raised at the Turkey Trot comes at a critical time. The Pantry is experiencing unprecedented demand for assistance, marked by an increase in new clients and the return of neighbors who previously utilized Pantry services.

“The past few months have been a particularly stressful time for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Seeing the kindness and community spirit at the Turkey Trot meant so much,” said Tina Powderly. “We are incredibly grateful to every runner, walker, sponsor, and spectator whose participation helped raise an incredible $55,108 for The Pantry. These funds will help provide our neighbors with access to nutritious food into the new year.”

The Franklin Food Pantry is grateful for the following organizations and individuals who served as this year’s race sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: G&C Plumbing & Heating 

Platinum Sponsors: Advanced European Repair, Franklin Plumbing, Heating, & Gas, Inc, Franklin Stretching & Mobility, Grove Street Auto Repair, MJ Henry & Associates, Next9Up, Notturno Home Services, Starr and Glick Orthodontics, Terrazza, Wild Birds Unlimited of Franklin

Gold Sponsors: Connell Roofing, Siding and Gutters, Middlesex Savings Bank, MyFM 101.3, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Blackstone Valley 

Silver Sponsors: Accurate Baker Elman, Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., Krav Running Club, Knights of Columbus Franklin Council #1847, Mount Street Farm, Nutrify Performance, The Longobardi Family, Vet Med Pet Supplies

Bronze Sponsors: Active Recovery Boston, Adirondack Club, Berry Insurance, Chestnut Dental, Costello Realty, Eastern Propane & Oil, Elizabeth’s Bagels & More, Emmons St., LLC, Franklin Matters, K Cooks, LLC, Keefe Insurance, Hilltop Auto, Maple & Main Renovations, LLC, Seniors Helping Seniors, Spiffy Designs, The Baur Family, The Sabolinski Family, The Sancher Family, Simon’s Furniture, Vendetti Motors, Xpression Prints

Friends Sponsors: The Beach Family, Body Fit Training, The Bradosky Family, Mary Clermont, Franklin Family Smiles, The Hauk Family, The Johnson Family, Mint Dental, Normandin Family, O’Neill Family, The Powderly Mason Family, The Tait/Shimer/Shanks Family, The Zicherman Family

Liam Vovk Seattle, WA, Carly Fredericks, Seattle, WA, Elizabeth Griffin, Seattle, WA, William Poole New York, NY

For more information on the Franklin Food Pantry, to receive food assistance, or to donate funds and food, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,880 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include Inside Shopping, Curbside Pickup, Emergency Food Boxes, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. 

The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org, or on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more information.

GOOD DEEDS: Why We Give

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

As we prepare our holiday gatherings and frantically search for the perfect gift or dish to serve, we are faced with endless choices. Will it be turkey or ham?  Mashed or sweet potatoes? Should I get someone a bike or a video game? The options are endless. It can be a tough choice, but what if that choice was between feeding your family or keeping your home, giving presents or staying warm?

For some people their options are much more sobering ones, as the oncoming holidays bring on stress and anxiety. Fuel bills, unexpected medical expenses and higher food and housing costs lead to such thoughts as, “How do I keep a roof over my family’s head and still put food on the table?” For these families, the holiday season takes on a whole different meaning.

GOOD DEEDS: Why We Give

The issue of hunger in Massachusetts is literally a call to action. The latest information available from Project Bread indicates that more than 22,400 people contacted Project Bread for food assistance last year. The statistics driving these calls are truly daunting. 37% of households in Massachusetts are considered food insecure. Furthermore, 43% of children in the state are also considered food insecure. The increasing cost of housing and food are likely factors that contribute to the rising rates of food insecurity. 

Let us be mindful during this holiday season that while Norfolk County may be a destination place to live and work there are people who reside here that need our help. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Annual Holiday Food Drive is underway, ending December 18th, and our 18th Annual Toys for Tots Drive runs now until December 9th.

Donations of nonperishable food or unwrapped toys can be brought directly to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building located at 649 High Street in Dedham and placed in the respective bins in the main lobby. Suggested donations for food include canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, spaghetti sauce, toiletries, and paper products.

If you can't get to the Registry of Deeds building to drop off food, you can check the Registry website at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/norfolk-county-food-pantry-locations for a pantry location in your community. For a list of Toys for Tots drop-off locations, visit the Marine Corps Reserve website here: https://www.toysfortots.org/find-your-local-chapter

Working together, we can truly make a huge difference this holiday season. By supporting each other and taking a moment to think of those in need, we can help individuals and families who may be struggling with food insecurity or the pressure to deliver on holiday promises, because no one should go hungry or have to choose between keeping warm and keeping the holiday spirit.

Franklin Food Pantry Experiences Unprecedented Need as Federal SNAP Benefits End

Facing unprecedented demand for food and assistance, the Franklin Food Pantry is appealing to the community for support after serving a record-breaking 215 households in a single day. The increase in households seeking assistance comes as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are scheduled to end on November 1, 2025. 

In response to the growing need, The Pantry is purchasing additional food from wholesale suppliers and leveraging established partnerships with local retailers. To ensure new clients can access help, The Pantry is adding dedicated Client Support Service Hours every Wednesday from 11 AM to 1 PM. During this time, staff will focus exclusively on registering new clients, scheduling shopping appointments, and assisting with critical wraparound services (note: shopping is not available at this time). 

Franklin Food Pantry Experiences Unprecedented
Need as Federal SNAP Benefits End

“The threat to SNAP benefits has brought food insecurity to the forefront, but the reality is that demand has been rising sharply for months,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “People are losing jobs, housing costs are at historic highs, and health insurance premiums are increasing. Just this week, in a single day, we registered as many new clients as we typically did in an entire month last year. We’re committed to being here for our neighbors — but we need our community’s support to ensure that anyone who needs food can access it with dignity.” 

Individuals and organizations who want to help can provide immediate, impactful support in the following ways:

Make a Monetary Donation

The Pantry purchases food and personal care items at significant discounts and tax-free from the Greater Boston Food Bank and local retailers, making the most of every dollar donated. 

Organize a Food Drive

Mobilize coworkers, youth groups, sports teams, and clubs and collect nonperishable food and deliver to The Pantry at 341 W Central St., Franklin, MA. Be sure to register your food drive with The Pantry. A list of high priority needs can be found The Pantry’s website.

Purchase and Ship Donations though The Pantry’s Amazon Wish List 

Send items that The Pantry needs the most by using our Amazon Wish List. Please be sure to send packages to Franklin Food Pantry, C/O Postal Center, PO Box 288, 279 E Central St, Franklin, MA 02038.

Additional information on supporting The Pantry can be found online at www.franklinfoodpantry.org

To receive food assistance from the Franklin Food Pantry, please visit our website for Franklin Food Pantry’s eligibility information, or contact Laura Du, Client Services Manager, by email at Ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org, or by phone at 508-528-3115. 

For assistance outside Franklin Food Pantry’s service area, please use the Greater Boston Food Bank’s online agency locator tool to find a food pantry.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,880 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include Inside Shopping, Curbside Pickup, Emergency Food Boxes, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. 

The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org, or on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more information. 

Spier Family Issues Giving Challenge At Hockomock Area YMCA

Greg and Kathy Spier of Foxborough are issuing a $25,000 challenge grant to support the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Food Access program, a part of the Y’s annual Reach Out Campaign. The Spiers and the Spier Family Foundation will match every donation made September 13 - 20 up to $25,000. 

Greg and Kathy Spier

As a non-profit organization, the Hockomock Area YMCA exists to help people be healthier, more confident and connected to each other and their communities. The Y is guided every day to remain focused on how best to respond to the emerging needs of its communities as individuals and families face financial struggles. In 2024, $3.9 million was invested by the Hockomock Area YMCA to ensure that everyone has the chance to thrive by providing scholarships to people in need in the Y’s 16 town service area to experience YMCA programs and services regardless of ability to pay. Since 2016, the Hockomock Y has been addressing hunger, providing over 135,000 bags of food to neighbors in need through the Y’s weekly food access and food pantry programs as well as served over 580,000 meals to children and families.  

“We are grateful to be part of communities full of caring people committed to improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA.  “I am so proud of the work our Y continues to do in partnership with others to raise critical funding for our annual Reach Out Campaign.  Funds raised allow our Y to be here when people need us most.  We are only able to do this through the philanthropic support of a caring community.”

“Greg and Kathy Spier have been passionate, steadfast supporters of our YMCA and their generous challenge will help ensure that we continue to be here for our neighbors,” added Downs.   

The Spier family’s impact in our local communities runs deep.  Their legacy at the Hockomock YMCA includes the naming of the indoor and outdoor aquatics centers as well as the splash park at the Y’s Invensys Foxboro Branch, along with Greg and Kathy’s parents, Sonja and the late Alex Spier. 

Greg Spier shares, “One of my mentors is the late Don Rodman.  Don taught me the importance of being philanthropic. He always said how important it was to be philanthropic in the areas where we work and the areas where we live. What better place to be philanthropic in the area than at the Hockomock Area YMCA. The Y benefits thousands of children and families and we’re so proud to be a part of it.”  

“The Y is a fellowship that brings people together and provides joy to so many people,” says Kathy Spier.  “As our father Alex always said, we want to leave the world a better place and that’s what we are going to do.  Please make a gift to the Hockomock Y between September 13 and 20 and we will proudly match it as part of this giving challenge.” 

“Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for making a gift and for your generous support,” says Greg Spier.

Every gift matters. To learn more about this challenge and ways to make a gift, visit www.hockymca.org/spier-challenge

To learn about other ways to support this initiative, please contact Katie Moore at katie@hockymca.org. 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

 

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

The Pantry's Tina Powderly talks about how to help during Hunger Action Month (audio)

FM #1509 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1509 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 Pantry on Friday, September 5, 2025. 

Discussion items: 

Tina’s background

Location and renovations helps with delivery of services

Hunger Action Month

Hunger Action Month - national awareness campaign

Storywalk at DelCarte

Town Council presentation 9/3/25

Greet Magazine cover story

Expanding curbside services to neighboring communities

Implementing Food as Medicine

Coordination with Town and other non-profits to coordinate services

The conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen in Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1509-tina-powderly-on-hunger-action-month-09-05-25/

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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://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 

Greater Boston Food Bank ->  https://www.gbfb.org/ 

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

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

NY Times: "A New Era of Hunger Has Begun"

By Tracy Kidder:

NY Times: "A New Era of Hunger Has Begun"

"Parts of Easthampton, an old mill town in western Massachusetts, look like relics of industrial New England — the old workers’ rowhouses, for instance. In other parts, it seems like a place in renaissance, with converted factory buildings spruced up and reinhabited by art galleries, restaurants, shops. Pedestrians fill the sidewalks on Friday and Saturday nights, especially during monthly art walk evenings. But on Monday mornings, when the downtown feels shuttered, another sort of crowd, one in search of food, not art and entertainment, gathers on a side street outside a 19th-century brick building. A sign out front identifies it as the Easthampton Community Center and Food Pantry.

The center distributes free groceries on Mondays and Wednesdays, but Monday is usually busier, because many people it serves have run out of food by then. By 9 a.m. on a Monday in June, a line of people with shopping bags extended from the sidewalk across the parking lot to the first of the food stations alongside the old building. There, clients are greeted by volunteers with friendly faces and helpful voices, offering milk and eggs, a selection of breads and pastries, frozen meat, fruit and vegetables. Inside, another team of volunteers assembles bags of canned and packaged food, some for adults, others for children."

Gift article link -> https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/opinion/america-safety-net.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WU8.7Ufx.sJO5TyPQMr2k&smid=url-share

Franklin Food Pantry shared "The Cost of Hunger in MA" report from the Greater Boston Food Bank

Via Franklin Food Pantry:

We're proud to share the Fifth Annual Food Access Report from our partner, The Greater Boston Food Bank.

Here are the findings:

• 

  "The Cost of Hunger in MA" report
  from the Greater Boston Food Bank

  Hunger on the Rise: 37 percent of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2024, rising from 34 percent in 2023
• Nutrition and Health Disparities: 67 percent of food-insecure households reported having at least one chronic health condition
• Health Care Costs: 40 percent of food-insecure households reported forgoing necessary medical, dental, or prescription care
• Social Costs: For the first time, the 2024 study examined how hunger impacts social well-being and connectedness—finding, for example, that only 58 percent of food-insecure households voted in the 2024 election, compared to 82 percent of food-secure households.

Read the full report here:

https://www.gbfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GBFB_Food-Access-Report_2025_final.pdf

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16paAaXL7b/

Counting down to the Empty Bowls simple meal on Thursday, May 22, 2025

Via Brenna Johnson:

Counting down to the Empty Bowls
simple meal on Thursday, May 22, 2025

"As EB counts down to its 10th annual fundraiser taking place next Thursday, May 22nd from 6-8pm in the cafeteria of Franklin High School, Franklin Ma. 

I will be sharing some of my favorite photos of the club from previous years. So many wonderful students, parents, siblings, Franklin community members, and Franklin Food Pantry staff/volunteers have been part of this project. I’m so thankful for the many years of support.

If you’re interested in joining Empty Bowls next week you can purchase tickets (Adults:$22/Kids:12~Online Pricing) using the link in my bio or at FHS the day of the event."

Tickets available -> https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=95

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvVOzgNIR3/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 24, 2025 ???

Thursday, April 24

Library & Senior Center events

** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

10:30am Animal Affair! (Franklin Public Library)

4:00pm Rockin' Rhythms (Franklin Public Library)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

6:30pm Running Your First 5K (Pond Street Recreation Facility)

7:00pm An Exploration of French Wines (333 E Central St)

7:00pm Dance Company (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm An Evening of Conversation Regarding Food Sovereignty and Access (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

 

 

**  Meetings today   **

Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA Meeting

Thursday, April 24 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04242025-1676

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Reminder: An Evening of Conversation Regarding Food Sovereignty and Access - Apr 24

The FUSF Food Justice team invites you to share an evening of thoughtful discussion with our special guest, Sister Anna Gilbert–Muhammad. Sister Anna will focus on the current state of food justice, access and sovereignty issues in Massachusetts. This is a particularly timely topic given the current pressures on our food system from climate change and the rapidly changing policies at the federal level.  Her discussion will include actions we can take to make an impact. 

A reception with light snacks will follow the speaking event. Donations to FUSF will be gratefully accepted but are not required to attend.  We hope to see you on April 24th!   

Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammad currently serves as the Equity Director and Food Access/Webinar Coordinator for Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association - MASS Chapter (NOFA/MA). Anna is responsible for the alliances of NOFA/Ma, with groups working on food access issues, food policy and food sovereignty efforts. In her home town of Springfield, MA, Anna works with the “Youth Leader Organic Gardening/Cooking Program” at Home City Housing, “The Open Pantry Community Garden Project” and smaller projects in the Boston and Springfield Area. Sister Anna wants to see all residents in all communities in Massachusetts have the access they deserve to fresh, wholesome food and to assist all that wish to grow food in their homes.

An Evening of Conversation Regarding Food Sovereignty and Access  - Apr 24

Hosted by: the FUSF Food Justice Team  

Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM 

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Our Interim Minister is Reverend Beverly Waring. For more information about FUSF please visit our website at Fusf.org. or contact us at info@fusf.org; call 508-528-5348.  

An Evening of Conversation Regarding Food Sovereignty and Access - Apr 24

The FUSF Food Justice team invites you to share an evening of thoughtful discussion with our special guest, Sister Anna Gilbert–Muhammad. Sister Anna will focus on the current state of food justice, access and sovereignty issues in Massachusetts. This is a particularly timely topic given the current pressures on our food system from climate change and the rapidly changing policies at the federal level.  Her discussion will include actions we can take to make an impact. 

A reception with light snacks will follow the speaking event. Donations to FUSF will be gratefully accepted but are not required to attend.  We hope to see you on April 24th!   

Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammad currently serves as the Equity Director and Food Access/Webinar Coordinator for Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association - MASS Chapter (NOFA/MA). Anna is responsible for the alliances of NOFA/Ma, with groups working on food access issues, food policy and food sovereignty efforts. In her home town of Springfield, MA, Anna works with the “Youth Leader Organic Gardening/Cooking Program” at Home City Housing, “The Open Pantry Community Garden Project” and smaller projects in the Boston and Springfield Area. Sister Anna wants to see all residents in all communities in Massachusetts have the access they deserve to fresh, wholesome food and to assist all that wish to grow food in their homes.

An Evening of Conversation Regarding Food Sovereignty and Access  - Apr 24

Hosted by: the FUSF Food Justice Team  

Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM 

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Our Interim Minister is Reverend Beverly Waring. For more information about FUSF please visit our website at Fusf.org. or contact us at info@fusf.org; call 508-528-5348.  

Reducing date label confusion and food waste with this Earth Month Webinar on Food Dates - April 9

via Spoonfuls (one of the key partners with Franklin Food Pantry)

Reducing date label confusion and food waste

"What's the difference between best-by and sell-by?" "What do date labels even mean?" "Has this milk gone bad?" "Is this food actually expired?"

If (like many!) you've grappled with questions like these, join us this @foodwastepreventionweek as we unpack "expiration" dates with Liz Miller, Spoonfuls' Senior Community Relations Manager, and Akif Khan, a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic. Coming up April 9. They’ll explain everything you should know - from the origins of date labels to policy solutions aimed at reducing date label confusion and food waste!

Link to learn more and register -> https://spoonfuls-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j2zRzeaDRviV-prXx7LG2Q#/registration

 

Shared from ->https://www.instagram.com/p/DH6IQS1szHX/?

Franklin Food Pantry and Weymouth Food Pantry’s "SOUPer Bowl" Results in 4,967 Cans of Donated Soup

The Franklin Food Pantry and the Weymouth Food Pantry participated in a friendly "SOUPer Bowl" competition, collecting nearly 5,000 cans of soup to help fight food insecurity in their communities.  From January 9 to February 9, 2025, residents, local businesses, and even state senators rallied behind their local pantries, resulting in a combined total of 4,967 cans of soup. The final tally was Franklin 2,586 cans, Weymouth 2,381 cans.

“The SOUPer Bowl's success exceeded our expectations, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone in Franklin and Weymouth who came together to support their local pantry. Thanks to their generosity, we collected nearly 5,000 cans of soup but also raised awareness and brought communities together to take action against hunger," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "The winter months can be especially tough for donations, and this fun, football-themed competition filled shelves at our pantries and sparked important conversations about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in our communities."

Franklin resident Wesley Hallion (age 6)

The Greater Boston Food Bank reports that nearly 2 million adults in Massachusetts are food insecure, and 1 in 3 households with children in the state experienced child-level food insecurity in 2023. This means a child went hungry, skipped a meal, or didn't eat for an entire day due to lack of resources.

“The way our communities rallied was so heartening,” said Pam Denholm, Executive Director of the Weymouth Food Pantry. “Weymouth may have been ‘edged out’ of a win, but we are better positioned to support neighbors coming to us for help as winter endures and that still feels like winning to us.”

While the SOUPer Bowl competition has concluded, the fight against food insecurity continues.  

Individuals and groups can still make a difference by:

• Donating food
• Donating funds
• Organizing a food drive
• Volunteering at a local food pantry

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, local food pantries are available to help.  

• For assistance in Franklin, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org. 
• For Weymouth residents, visit www.weymouthfoodpantry.org.  
• You can also find additional resources through the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Partner Agency Locator at www.gbfb.org/need-food.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,800 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include In-person Shopping, Curbside Pick-up, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. 

The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

About the Weymouth Food Pantry

The Weymouth Food Pantry is an independent 501(c)(3) charity providing free groceries to over 4,000 neighbors in Weymouth at any given time. The Weymouth Food Pantry serves between 100 and 250 families per service day, 600 and 800 families each month, and distributes about 840,000 pounds of food per year. The Weymouth Food Pantry offers food assistance and education through a variety of food access, food equity, and health focused programs, including pop-up pantries, grocery delivery to homebound elders and people with disabilities, a dollar-match at the farmers’ market, weekend food bags for students in school, an open access community garden, and “made with love” meals freshly prepared and frozen for easy reheating by neighbors for whom meal prep is a barrier to food security. 

The Weymouth Food Pantry was founded in 1987 by a small group of concerned citizens. Its executive office is located at 40E Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland, MA

02370. For more information, please visit www.weymouthfoodpantry.org, email

info@weymouthfoodpantry.org, or call 781-331-7682.