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

Monday, August 7, 2023

The Franklin Food Pantry invites you to help reach the building campaign goal

via the Franklin Food Pantry
"We are so grateful for the support we've received so far! 
We are now inviting the public to participate to help us reach our campaign goal! 
Click here to donate: https://t.co/I4njZXGUTx 
Click here to sign up for a tour!  https://t.co/0Q0jpHk2gx"
Listen to Tina Powderly talk with Steve Sherlock about the building campaign

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


The Franklin Food Pantry invites you to help reach the building campaign goal
The Franklin Food Pantry invites you to help reach the building campaign goal

Monday, April 26, 2021

"at some point, surplus became more important than feeding people"

"The global, industrialized food system faces increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact, given its voracious appetite for land is linked to mass deforestation, water pollution and a sizable chunk of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The implied trade-off has been that advances in agriculture have greatly reduced hunger and driven societies out of poverty due to improved productivity and efficiencies. But Mark Bittman, the American food author and journalist, argues in his new book Animal, Vegetable, Junk that these supposed benefits are largely illusionary.

In a sweeping deconstruction of the history of food, spanning the past 10,000 years of organized agriculture, Bittman takes in everything from Mesopotamian irrigation to the Irish famine to the growth of McDonald’s to posit the rise of uniformity and convenience in food has mostly benefited large companies, fueled societal inequities and ravaged human health and the environment. Al Gore, the former US vice president, has called the book a “must-read for policymakers, activists and concerned citizens looking to better understand our food system and how to fix it”.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Mark Bittman, the American food author and journalist - "Animal, Vegetable, Junk"
Mark Bittman, the American food author and journalist - "Animal, Vegetable, Junk"


Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Franklin Food Pantry Launches Ambassador Program

Today (Sep 8, 2020) the Franklin Food Pantry announced that it has launched a new ambassador program to raise awareness, help educate the community about hunger and publicize the many ways people can get involved in the Franklin Food Pantry. Ambassadors can raise funds through their own activities like marathons, product sales, and other activities that benefit The Pantry. Ambassadors will display a real commitment to eradicating hunger and a passion to inspire others to help.

Both individuals and small businesses can become Franklin Food Pantry Ambassadors. Individuals can support The Pantry with donor pages, hosting events, educating the community via social media, opening lemonade stands, and in a variety of other ways. Small businesses can help connect their service and community by adding a Franklin Food Pantry ambassador logo to their website, become a donation location, serve a special drink, and in different initiatives that support The Pantry.

"The idea behind the Ambassador Program is that anyone can join the fight against hunger, whether they are five years old or 105 years old. Being hungry is more than just the inability to buy food and every person who faces this challenge has their own unique story," said Kim Cooper, Donor Relations Manager for The Franklin Food Pantry. "The Ambassador Program will help those stories get told and increase ways the community can help The Pantry. Each word spoken, each dollar raised, goes back to help people facing food insecurity in our community. Every hand, big or small, can help." 

If you have a passion for helping end food insecurity and are looking for ways to contribute to The Franklin Food Pantry, the Ambassador Program may be right for you. Please reach out to Kim Cooper at kcooper@franklinfoodpantry.org for more information and learn how you can help make a difference in your community. 

During the pandemic, the Franklin Food Pantry continues to operate to serve all new and existing neighbors. The Pantry has changed its hours to Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:30 Pm to 7:00 PM and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Fridays. The Pantry is distributing prepackaged bags of shelf-stable items as well as fresh produce and proteins through a drive-up service. Since March, the Pantry has seen a weekly increase of new neighbors needing to receive services and all donations have gone toward continuing to feed our patrons. 

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The mission of the Franklin Food Pantry is to alleviate food insecurity and compassionately empower our community through resources and collaboration.The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. 
As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations and receives no town or state funding. In FY 2019 - 2020, 287,691 pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information. 


Franklin Food Pantry Launches Ambassador Program
Franklin Food Pantry Launches Ambassador Program

 

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Despite drought, Tri-County's garden tops 300 pounds donated


Dry conditions presented new challenges to the teacher and student volunteers responsible for maintaining the garden at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School this summer. Despite the drought, the garden yielded 300 pounds of fresh produce by Tuesday, August 23. The garden yielded 325 pounds by the same time last year.

All of the produce harvested from the garden is donated to local food pantries.
Walking through the garden Tuesday, Culinary Arts Instructor and Garden Coordinator Nancy Haney pointed out that although the plants were wilting at a faster rate than in the past, the garden was still enveloped in vibrant red tomatoes and hulking yellow sunflowers. This year’s newest additions to the garden, cabbage, kale, and corn, were also alive and well.

Culinary Arts Instructor and Garden Coordinator Nancy Haney
Culinary Arts Instructor and Garden Coordinator Nancy Haney

Tri-County sunflower
Tri-County sunflower

Tri-County tomatoes
Tri-County tomatoes

The school has donated nearly 3,000 pounds of produce to food pantries in Franklin and Medway since the garden was established four years ago. The initiative educates students about proper gardening techniques and helps to bolster philanthropy.

For more about Tri-County, visit them on the internet  http://www.tri-county.us/

Friday, February 5, 2016

In the News: billboard proposal under consideration, runners help food pantry

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Town Council is weighing a request for a zoning amendment that would clear the way for a company to erect an electronic billboard along Interstate 495. 
The council, meeting Wednesday night, listened to but did not act upon a presentation from local attorney Michael Doherty, representing the company iON the Ball. 
Doherty said the company was asking for a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow electronic billboards along the highway. He said the measure would be limited since state and federal regulations spell out stringent rules as to where billboards may be placed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160204/franklin-council-hears-billboard-plan


After the success of the group's first pre-Santa Parade run, the Tri-Valley Front Runners donated the proceeds from the event to the Daily Bread Food Pantry. 
The group this week dropped off a $380 check and three boxes of food they collected from the run, where about 90 runners took off in front of the parade, running the length of the route.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160204/tri-valley-front-runners-donate-to-milford-pantry

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Annual Holiday Food Drive to Continue to the End of the Year



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Says Annual Holiday Food Drive to Continue to the End of the Year

Saying that the demand this year appears to be greater than ever, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell announced today that the Registry's Annual Holiday Food Drive will continue to run through December 31, 2015.

"Here in Norfolk County," noted Register O'Donnell, "some of our less fortunate neighbors continue to face economic hardship. We know this because we see each month the Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings that take place. Furthermore, at a statewide level, Project Bread noted that 1 out of every 10 households in Massachusetts is food insecure. The Greater Boston Food Bank has distributed more food product the week before Thanksgiving than ever before, including produce. The signs are visibly out there that people need help."

Local pantry officials agree food donations, especially as we head into the winter and holiday months, are critical to their operations. "The holiday season is the busiest time of year. For the past 40 years, we have relied on the generosity of our local communities to donate food and help neighbors in need," noted Rick Doane, Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services of Quincy. Unfortunately, the issue of hunger does not stop at any border. Rene Feuerman, Director of the Brookline Food Pantry noted, "Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals and families needing assistance. Just this past summer, we added 100 families to our needs list. Currently, we are feeding 850 households here in Brookline."

"Non-perishable food items such as rice, canned vegetables and soups, spaghetti, tomato sauce and paste are quite popular. Toiletries and paper products are also greatly appreciated," noted O'Donnell. These and other items can be brought directly to the Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham from Monday, November 23, 2015 through Thursday, December 31, 2015. A donation bin has been set up in the Registry building lobby which is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

Those who wish to donate but are unable to travel to the Registry can do so by donating food supplies at their local pantries across Norfolk County. "Dropping off a food donation at the Registry or a local food pantry could make the difference in a family's holiday. Working together, we can make a huge difference this holiday season," concluded Register O'Donnell.

For a list of local food pantries, please visit the Registry of Deeds website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds for follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

phone: 781-234-3336

Forward email




Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

listing of Food Pantry's in Norfolk County
listing of Food Pantry's in Norfolk County




Friday, September 4, 2015

Student's Capstone project to help Medway Food Pantry

This is a flier my son John made for his Capstone project:

In Support of the Medway Village Church food pantry, a donation drive is being held here from September 1 to November 1. 

My name is John Demartinis and I am in 8th grade attending the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. 

This is my Capstone project, I must complete this project to pass the 8th grade. I am a Medway resident.

Items needed for drive:

  • Shampoo
  • Napkins
  • Soap
  • Napkins
  • Paper Towels
  • Toothpaste
  • Toilet paper
  • Tissues
  • Caned goods
  • Boxed goods.
  • Jelly
  • Tomato sauce, chicken soup, boxed milk.


And anything else that you can donate would be greatly appreciated

If you live in the Medway area please help by bringing donations to Starbucks, Medway yoga, medway cleaners, curves, Anne Market, medway karakate,little gym,the muffin house and to any of the shops at the plaza where ocean state store is. 

If you cannot donate, You can also make a donation by check to the
MEDWAY VILLAGE CHURCH FOOD PANTRY.

Sincerely
John DeMartinis
Medway resident
Anything you want to do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Kelly (John's mom)

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

Friday, November 1, 2013

Food Pantry, Food Elves and Downtown Partnership


The Franklin Downtown Partnership is once again teaming up with the Franklin Foods Elves for the "12 Days of Donating" Campaign to support the Franklin Food Pantry.
The "Food Elves" which is a student run organization will collect food donations the first 12 days of December for the Food Pantry.  We are looking for 10 businesses that will agree to have a food donation bin placed at their business location for this time period for residents to drop by and donate food.  In addition,each business will agree to donate $200 to the Food Pantry for the campaign.
Last year the Food Elves collected 2 Tons of food! It was one
of the most successful food drives ever in Franklin!

Let us know if you would like to be one of the participating businesses so we can list your business in the press release and on the Holiday Stroll flyers. The deadline is next week so let us know soon.  The $200 is not collected until December 12th.
Thanks for your interest....

Lisa Piana
Executive Director
and The Franklin Food Elves


Friday, October 4, 2013

"WIC will remain in operation for the immediate future"

This is good news. Given the impasse in Washington, that this program is still being operated will help those women and children most in need. As reported earlier this week, the activities at local food pantries has continued to increase due to the overall economic conditions.

The federally funded Women, Infants and Children program known as WIC will remain in operation for the immediate future. At this time there is no impact on the nutritional services delivered by the Massachusetts WIC Program, according to program director Sharon McCollum. 
Currently all WIC program offices in the following locations: 300 Howard St., Framingham; 32 South St., Waltham; and 230 Maple St., Marlboro, are open for business. All WIC services and benefits continue to be provided and all WIC checks will be accepted at WIC grocery stores and pharmacies.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1155170686/WIC-program-remains-open-for-business-despite-shutdown#ixzz2gkHByZ9s


Related posts:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/citizens-bank-is-model-partner.html
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/10/distributing-food-is-just-one-piece-of.html



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Food recycling as a climate issue (audio)

Why is food recycling a climate issue?
Recently the U.S. joined the U.N. in launching programs to combat food waste. Fortunately, right here in Arlington we already have a great model for doing just that. Our guest on this edition of the Climate Hawk Companion is DeAnne Dupont, has been walking the talk, and was instrumental in establishing the Minuteman Food Recovery Project as a collaboration between the Minuteman High School Parent’s Association and Sustainable Arlington
The project collects from Panera Breads, Trader Joe’s and other local businesses in the Arlington, Massachusetts area and distributes it to people who need this food. This makes for a better community and fewer greenhouse gases. Listen to the podcast to catch up on how it all works.





Other organizations mentioned during this podcast are:
Loving Spoonfuls Boston  http://www.lovinspoonfulsinc.org/

What is happening here in Franklin?
The Franklin Food Pantry coordinates pickups from many local businesses to support the clients the Food Pantry serves. Periodic pickups from Panera Bread, BJ Warehouse, Trader Joe's, Stop and Shop, The Cake Bar, etc. are coordinated and conducted by Food Pantry volunteers. If the pickup is of a quantity that the Food Pantry can't use within the window for the item, the Food Pantry does share with the Senior Center and other places where the items can be used.

The anaerobic digestion process was proposed for the former sewer facility in Franklin based upon the new state regulations. If you haven't heard about the regulations, you can find out more here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/a-solution-that-meets-multiple-economic.html

For more about the anaerobic digestion proposal discussed at the Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-tabled-in-franklin.html

For more about the anaerobic digestion proposal discussed at the Planning Board meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-is-not-recommended.html


This was cross posted to
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/07/food-recycling-as-climate-issue-audio.html


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Franklin Elks Care 5K - road race results

The Franklin Elks Care 5K road race attracted over 140 finishers on Saturday. The full listing of results can be found on Cool Running here.

Franklin Elks Lodge - Pond St
Franklin Elks Lodge - Pond St

As mentioned the race benefited the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project

The start of the race looked like this. A few cars go by on Pond St and then the start is announced.




At the finish line, this is a few minutes of the mid-pack finishers



Our thanks to the Franklin Elks for being part of this event!


This was originally posted on the Franklin Food Pantry webpage
Franklin Elks Care 5K - Results

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Volunteers needed - Help Stamp Out Hunger


Thank you! We do have enough volunteers for Saturday. If you want to sign up to help for a future event, please do so by visiting the sign up form

-------


Once again, the Franklin postal carriers will be participating in the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive. Residents are notified by their carriers about this event and the carriers pick it up on Saturday, May 11th. The donations will be delivered by the carriers to the Food Pantry that day. Then, the fun begins!

Franklin Food Pantry
Franklin Food Pantry

We will need several volunteers on Saturday, May 11th between the hours of 2:00pm - 6:00pm. This would be a minimum of a 2-hour commitment. Some of the responsibilities include unloading postal trucks as they arrive, weighing the items, checking expiration dates, sorting, carrying items to the pantry and stocking the appropriate shelves.

Available shifts:
2-6
3-5
4-6

stamp out hunger
Stamp Out Hunger

Appropriate footwear is mandatory (no flip-flops!). Because the mail trucks come in randomly, there may be some down time. We will assign specific tasks so respond as soon as possible to secure your spot. You will receive an email back from us to confirm your shift.

Please let us know by send an email to volunteers@franklinfoodpantry.org


Sunday, December 2, 2012

12 Days of Donating: Day 3

On Day 3 of the "12 Days of Donating", let's continue to look back through the events of the year and see how much we can be thankful for in Franklin.

In March, the big talk around Franklin was the vote on the new high school. Many voices of Franklin were heard and generally in a civil discourse around the pros and cons of a new high school. The vote was held on March 27 and with 9971 voters turning out, it rang up with 7988 for and 1982 against.



An architectural rendering view of the new science labs

The full set of posts around the high school building project can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

This collection will continue to be updated as construction on the building makes progress towards the opening in the fall of 2014.

So what does the new high school have to do with 12 Days of Donating? 
I think it shows that Franklin can come together, have a good discussion and take action. These qualities are what makes Franklin a place that matters! When we applies these qualities to the 12 Days of Donating, we will be helping our neighbors.

The Franklin Food Elves are combining forces with the Franklin Downtown Partnership for the “12 Days of Donating” campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. Donation bins are available at these participating businesses:
  • Berry Insurance, 9 Main St.
  • Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
  • Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
  • Dean College, Campus Center
  • DCU, 500 West Central St.
  • East Coast Driving School, 25 East Central St.
  • Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
  • Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
  • Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
  • Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
  • RE/MAX Executive Realty, 445 Franklin Village Dr.
You can also make a donation securely through the Franklin Food Pantry web page




Day 2 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/12-days-of-donating-day-2.html
Day 1 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/12-days-of-donating-day-1.html

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Where is the Franklin Food Pantry? (video)

Thanks to Eagle Scout Zach Zollo, the Food Pantry now has a couple of videos to share. This one answers the question: Where is the Franklin Food Pantry?




This was originally posted on the Franklin Food Pantry web page
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2012/11/where-is-franklin-food-pantry-video.html

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Experience Life as Upper, Middle, or Low Income Citizen at Dean College Hunger Banquet


Experience Life as Upper, Middle, or Low Income Citizen at Dean College Hunger Banquet

Dean Community Outreach invites guests to an interactive learning experience banquet promoting hunger awareness, featuring a complimentary meal & guest speaker.

Franklin, MA (October 15, 2012) – Taking a "can drive" one step further, Dean College invites the Franklin and surrounding communities to a public "Hunger Banquet" on Tuesday, November 13, in which participants will experience a meal either as an Upper Income citizen, Middle Income citizen, or Lower Income citizen.

Dean Community Outreach students conceptualized and will emcee this learning experience where guests will be assigned a class upon arrival and will experience life as a member of that class for the duration of the program.  Upper income class guests will receive a scrumptious meal served to them in an upper class setting at a roundtable.  Middle income class guests will experience their meal middle class meal at rectangular tables, while the lower income class experiences their meal on the floor.

"The stunning visual aspect of this meal is unfortunately an accurate representation of the issue of Hunger in the United States, and beyond," said Shannon Overcash, Staff Adviser to the Dean Community Outreach student group.  "While most people are aware that hunger is a problem out there, many do not realize it can be a problem very close to home, even here in Franklin.  Bringing you're children, friends, or spouses to experience it first-hand will be very beneficial to yourself and the community."

Guests are invited to experience this program free of charge, however, Dean Community Outreach students ask that each guests bring with them a canned food donation which will go to the Franklin Food Pantry.  In addition to the meal experience, a representative from the Franklin Food Pantry will speak to guests about the hunger and poverty in the Franklin area.


Event Details:
When: Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 7:00pm
Who: Dean Community Outreach, Franklin Food Pantry
Where: Dean College Campus Center (109 W. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038)
Why: To help promote awareness surrounding poverty & hunger in the local community & beyond.
 


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Who eats the crusts of bread?

In this TED Talk, Tristram tells us something we don't normally hear or talk about.
Western countries throw out nearly half of their food, not because it’s inedible -- but because it doesn’t look appealing. Tristram Stuart delves into the shocking data of wasted food, calling for a more responsible use of global resources. 
Tristram Stuart sounds the warning bell on global food waste, calling for us to change the systems whereby large quantities of produce and other foods end up in trash heaps.

If America really has 4 times the food that we need, then the Food Pantry and others in this space are clearly in the redistribution business, and there is still plenty to do.



Approximately 15 minutes and well worth watching!

For more information on Tristram's Feeding the 5,000  http://www.feeding5k.org/

For more on his book http://www.amazon.com/Waste-Uncovering-Global-Food-Scandal/dp/0393068366/ref=la_B001ITTVXE_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347742133&sr=1-1


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Rockland Trust generosity helps the Franklin Food Pantry


For the third year Rockland Trust has donated the use of its building located at 43 West Central Street in Franklin, Mass. to the Franklin Food Pantry. The two-story building, located adjacent to Rockland Trust’s Main Street branch serves as a valuable resource to the Franklin community and provides between 2,600 and 3,200 pounds of food to area citizens each week.


Accepting the $43,200 donation check, Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Food Pantry stated, “This generous donation from Rockland Trust ensures that we can continue to serve the people of the Franklin area. Local residents need our help now more than ever. The space offers plenty of storage space for food and allows us to provide private meeting space for support services.”

“At Rockland Trust, we believe in strengthening the communities in which we work and live,” stated Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch. “Rockland Trust is proud to support the Franklin Food Pantry and its efforts to help individuals and families in need.”

About Rockland Trust
Rockland Trust Company is a full-service community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with approximately $5 billion in assets. Rockland Trust provides a wide range of consumer, business, investment, and insurance products and services. Rockland Trust’s network consists of 67 retail branches, nine commercial lending centers, three Investment Management Group offices, and four residential lending centers located throughout Eastern Massachusetts, and one commercial lending center and investment management office in Rhode Island. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank “Where Each Relationship Matters®,” please visit www.RocklandTrust.com.

Photo: Ann-Marie Corriveau, Rockland Trust Universal Representative; Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Franklin Food Pantry; and Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch stand in front of the Franklin Food Pantry.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Franklin Food Pantry: Volunteer Opportunities

Heavy Lifting/Driving Volunteers Needed
 
The Franklin Food Pantry is looking for a few volunteers for some very heavy lifting/van driving tasks.  One of the regular opportunities is twice a month we drive our van down to Taunton to pick up our Greater Boston Food Bank orders.  These orders can range between 2,000-3,000 pounds and have to be manually loaded from the dock into the back of the van, case by case.  We have to be in Taunton on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 12:30 and the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:30.  We usually leave Franklin about 1 hour before the scheduled pickup time to arrive  in Taunton a little early.  We do usually have volunteers back at the Pantry to help unload the van.  We do have a van that we use, but if you have, or know someone who has, a truck with a lift for the dock so they can drive the forklift straight in that is much easier.  We are looking for someone who is willing to commit to either one of the pickups or both on a regular basis. 

Some other opportunities that we are looking for volunteers for would be on a less consistent basis.  Sometimes we get calls from local businesses with donations that we need to go pick up that day.  One of these businesses is Garelick Farms.  They will email us in the morning to let us know that they have product available and we would need to get there that day.  Fresh dairy products are not easily obtained at the Franklin Food Pantry, so when we are offered milk, yogurt, cream, etc., it is greatly appreciated by our Clients.  We use our van to pick up the items, and usually each crate weighs up to 40 pounds so it is heavy lifting into the van and then unloading at the Pantry and stocking the refrigerators with the product. 

Thank you for considering the Franklin Food Pantry for your volunteering opportunities.  These opportunities are normally performed Tuesday-Friday between 9:00am-1:00pm.  We ask that no one under the age of 18 respond as there will often be Clients in the Pantry and we don't have student volunteers when the Clients are here.  Also we ask that you be prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement as a volunteer and also have a safe driving record and a valid driving license as we may have to included you as a driver on our van's insurance policy.

Again, there is a lot of heavy lifting, stairs, etc. involved with this opportunity and if you know of anyone or a company that may be willing to help out, especially if they have a small truck that the forklift can load directly onto at the Greater Boston Food Bank, then please forward them this request or have them contact me directly.

Farmer's Market Volunteers Needed

The Franklin Food Pantry has received a grant that offers any SNAP (food stamp) recipient to double their money at the Franklin Farmer's Market every Friday from June 8, 2012 through November 2, 2012.  We are looking to fill slots from 11:30am-6:00pm every Friday at the Franklin Town Common.  The volunteers would help the clients process their transaction on the handheld EBT terminal (easy training), and also we will provide other documentation if anyone is looking for information on the Food Pantry, SNAP, WIC, etc.  There are times when it is very slow and I will try to have 2 volunteers at all times so there is someone to talk to and if someone needs to leave for a moment there is someone else there at the table.  The table will be next to Grateful Farms and one of our Board members will be at their table so any questions or concerns can be handled immediately by a Franklin Food Pantry Board member.  Also the volunteers may have to stop at the Pantry prior to arriving at the common to pick up the tables, chairs, canopy, documentation, vouchers, terminal, cooler with waters, etc., and and then help set up and later break down the table, chairs and canopy.  The volunteers would have to be adults, we ask that no one under the age of 18 be at the table at any time and they will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.  This is a very private situation for a lot of families and confidentiality is very important.  Also it is very important for the volunteers to know that the market opens rain or shine, hot or cold weather, and should always plan accordingly.  Volunteers should be willing to work 1-2 Fridays per month for a minimum of 3-6 hours.

Thank you again. 

Regards,

Linda Sottile

Franklin Food Pantry

(508) 528-3115

www.franklinfoodpantry.org