The Franklin community’s generosity took center stage on Saturday, March 28, as Pantry supporters gathered at THE BLACK BOX for the annual "Party for the Pantry" fundraiser. The high-energy event raised over $31,500 to support programs and services and assist neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity.
The night featured performances from local favorites The Fab 3 Acoustic Tribute to The Beatles, Karate Show, and South Street 6, who kept the crowd on their feet. Beyond the music, attendees participated in a silent auction which included luxury travel destinations from AmFund, and door prizes, all aimed at supporting the Pantry’s mission to provide essential resources to Franklin neighbors.
“Looking out at the crowd, I was deeply moved by the way our community shows up for one another,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “The success of Party for The Pantry is a testament to the compassion of every musician who donated their talent, every sponsor who invested in our mission, and every supporter who danced and donated. We are profoundly grateful.”
Party for The Pantry is a yearly fundraiser started by Ray Auger and William Donovan—members of the local band Pub Kings—and co-organized by Deirdre Donovan. More than just a concert, the event unites musical talent to amplify the conversation around hunger and mobilize the community to help eliminate food insecurity in our community.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with the dedicated staff and leadership at The Franklin Food Pantry,” said William Donovan. “The money raised directly impacts our community in an amazingly positive way."
“Coming together for a night of music, fun, and friendship is a great way to shine a spotlight on the growing need for food assistance in our own backyard,” said Ray Auger. “The Franklin Food Pantry is a lifeline that changes thousands of lives annually. We are honored to leverage our platform to give back to an organization that provides such an essential safety net for our neighbors, ensuring no one in our community has to face hunger alone.”
The event was made possible by the following sponsors: Grove Street Auto Repair, Advanced European Repair, THE BLACK BOX, Raydio, Direct Federal Credit Union, The Baur Family, Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., Franklin Matters Weekly, Colonial Fence, Dean Bank, Elemen-Tree House, Mike & Maureen Sabolinski, The Tavern on Central, K Cooks, and Upfront Guitars.
For more information on supporting the Franklin Food Pantry, or to attend an upcoming fundraising event, please visit the Franklin Food Pantry website at 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.
Note: Yes, we are proud to have been fortunate to help sponsor this event to also raise awareness of the Franklin Matters Weekly version now available on Sundays.
