Franklin Food Pantry busy this season serving our neighbors and getting ready for the new building

We hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season! The Pantry is very busy with Holiday Distributions, Turkey Trot, Food Elves and getting our new home ready for our neighbors!

While Franklin is considered an idyllic residential setting, it is not immune from food insecurity. Almost 10 percent of Franklin's residents aren't sure where their next meal will come from. This isn't happening to someone else in Franklin, 

it is happening to us. 

rendering of the New Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry distributed 26,292 bags of groceries last year to more than 1,100 people in more than 500 households. Many of our neighbors shopped more than twice per month in order to make ends meet. Demand for our services has grown from 150 households per week to more than 180 households per week in the last few months. Franklin Food Pantry's FY2022 statistics show just how much work there is to do and how prevalent food insecurity is in our area.

The Pantry has been fortunate to enjoy our current space for the last 13 years, thanks to the generosity of Rockland Trust. However, we have outgrown our space and cannot expand our programs and services to accommodate the increasing need. The Pantry purchased the Edwin's building at 341 West Central St. and you may be wondering exactly why we need this building.  

It's not about the building, 

it's about what we will do in the building! 

In our new space, we will: 

• Preserve human dignity with private client meeting rooms. 
• Expand programs and services through partnership and collaboration. 
• Create a warm and welcoming space that honors local history. 
• Increase the client shopping area offering more food and product choices. 
• Increase community engagement through workshops and trainings. 
• Ensure safety and ADA compliance with accessible walkways and interior lift 
• Grow our weekend backpack program and increase mobile pantry sites. 
• Save time and money with thoughtful and cost-effective design. 

We can't do this without support from YOU – please look for information about how you can contribute to The Pantry's Campaign in the coming months or contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

YOU have the power to create a better 

community for everyone by contributing to 

The Pantry's campaign: 

The New Franklin Food Pantry: 

Nourishing Neighbors, Building Community 

Updates for the new Franklin Food Pantry Building  can be found online ->

https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/

Neighbors-helping-Neighbors meets virtually, paying it forward, focusing on networking and support

Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. (NhN) is a cost-free, grassroots, nationally and internationally recognized job search support and networking organization.

The group's culture is based on a pay it forward model with a focus on networking and support.

Meetings are designed to help anyone in career advancement and career transition including:

• unemployed
• underemployed
• recent college graduates
• veterans
• people re- entering the job market
• preparing for job change
• small business owners
• volunteer work

The meetings offer advice in job search strategies, techniques and tools, support, motivation, leadership and networking opportunities.

Developing the skills of conducting a job search campaign in today's new job market. NhN video conferenced meetings are led by community leaders/facilitators volunteers who have been trained and are practicing and developing their leadership skills while delivering the very successful NhN USA agenda led meeting model.

Founded in River Edge, NJ on January 27 2011, by John R. Fugazzie Neighbors-helping-Neighbors has fostered a "pay it forward" culture, NhN is supported by an award winning web site, LinkedIn group, and a Facebook group.

Weekly Free Meetings
Time : 7:00-7:45pm
Visit the home page and click on the Google Meeting link for the week you are looking to attend  www.nhnusa.org

For more information contact John R. Fugazzie Founder email: john@nhnusa.org

NhN is also looking to recruit volunteers to be trained to lead their weekly virtual meetings

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

I have met John Fugazzie, but I am not a member of NhN.

I am forwarding this info to help job-seekers. 

--

Ed Lawrence

www.getstart-ed.com

Authorized DISC Administrator

Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

Neighbors-helping-Neighbors meets virtually, paying it forward, focusing on networking and support

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - the word is 'complicity'

As Alan Earls appears to be a friend and supporter of Dashe Videira, his statement in Voices of Franklin on October 28, 2021 (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-alan-earls-i-heard.html) , attempting to shift blame to a righteous voice in our community, is preposterous. He states "Free speech, and all that, it still seemed to be in poor taste and stingingly calculated to burn whatever social bridges remain on our street. And just when I was hoping we could heal."

I know several families on that street. I can't imagine ANY of his neighbors that I personally know being okay with inviting a bigot into their home, or attending an event where one was invited to speak, or even continuing to enjoy and defend an association with the bigot promoter.

I can't imagine ANY of the people that I know on Mr. Earls’ street supporting or accepting a public demonstration such as the one on October 8th, 2021 on Route 140 near the Honey Dew Donuts.  This demonstration was described by Mr. Earls (https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/45065/flags-aflutter) as “A group of adults and children bearing flags and signs with patriotic-themed messages.” The photographs in his post show School Committee candidates Dashe Videira and Mark Bisson amidst signs stating “In God We Trust,” “Vote 2021” and “We Are A Christian Nation.” Excluding non-Christians is not patriotic. A public demonstration marginalizing and excluding Franklin residents of other religions from the demonstrators’ nation should not be applauded by being labeled patriotic. It not only hurts people but directly contradicts the United States Constitution, in which the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion. 

There's a word for Mr. Earls' statement in Voices of Franklin and his “reporting” of the October 8th demonstration. There’s a word that describes his willingness to continue to speak well of people permitting and promoting hate and exclusion. It's "complicity." Attempting to smooth over the natural consequences - sadness, discord, anger, activism, and any other appropriate response - of bigoted and exclusionary acts, writing an opinion such as the one in Voices of Franklin, blaming the person pointing out the hateful choices, at no point indicating or recognizing wrongdoing on the part of the candidates referenced, this pushes it way past being a vocal bystander.

Dashe Videira invited a man into her home as an honored guest speaker. The man is an unapologetic bigot, as anyone who Googles him can determine on their own in less than a minute. Dashe Videira and Mark Bisson participated in a "stand-out" in which they marginalized and excluded non-Christians by promoting the message "We Are A Christian Nation." These are things that happened; no one is contesting that. Aaron Gouveia's post brought these things to light. Rejecting hate does not, as Mr. Earl states, "burn social bridges." Promoting and validating hate speech and exclusion "burns social bridges."

Mr. Earls states "To behave as if a young mother of four children, brimming with energy and kindness, is an existential threat to society, is at best a gross exaggeration." It's one thing to turn your head away and ignore prejudice. That’s bad enough, but that is not what Mr. Earls has done. By looking straight at it and willingly telling a fairytale, by reporting an exclusionary event as patriotic, by attempting to redirect blame onto someone doing the right thing, Mr. Earls has made it very clear that he is okay with what has transpired in recent weeks, and equally clear that he is part of the problem.

Arielle Shearer

Franklin Resident

To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Arielle Shearer - the word is  'complicity'

Voices of Franklin: Alan Earls "I heard the bells on Christmas Day..."

Wow, what a lot of pain there is around our town. Reading my neighbor, Aaron Gouveia’s recent post in this space about our mutual neighbor, Dashe Videira, I couldn’t help but feeling like something was getting lost in translation.  It is a fact (and perhaps symbolically rich) that our homes are on opposite sides of the Videira residence.

I was surprised several days ago when Aaron mined his private conversations and texts with Dashe to publicly excoriate her on Facebook – and now the campaign has moved to Franklin Matters. Free speech, and all that, it still seemed to be in poor taste and stingingly calculated to burn whatever social bridges remain on our street. And just when I was hoping we could heal.

My sadness in these events brought to mind the Christmas carol whose lyrics were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Hearing the beautiful pealing of church bells at Christmas even as the Civil War raged across the land, threw him into despondency. You don’t have to be Christian or celebrate Christmas to imagine the painful disconnect a man like Longfellow experienced in that moment.

And yet, for him, he also managed to discover hope in that moment.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

I am of that mind, with Longfellow. Leaving aside the specific religious connotations, I am sure we can find our better natures not yet out of reach and once again, rekindle neighborliness, kindness, and toleration and find peace on earth, or at least in Franklin.

I meet few who do not share this hope. So why not here, why not now, and why not in Franklin?

We will and we must disagree but we should recognize that people who actually intend harm to others are a rarity. To behave as if a young mother of four children, brimming with energy and kindness, is an existential threat to society, is at best a gross exaggeration. 

It is incumbent upon us to find out why and how those with whom we disagree came to their views and values. We can and we must understand that ideas – and civil societies – evolve and can do so peacefully when we occasionally hold our tongue and foreswear a cruel remark for the sake of sustaining a vital and meaningful conversation.

We have an opportunity to be large-hearted with each other, to imagine our similarities instead of alighting only on our differences.  Yes, there is a gulf between us on many issues but our job is to bridge the gulf and construct new edifices where we all can feel at home.

I plan to be at the polls on Tuesday, anxious to meet all my fellow citizens and candidates and hopeful that they will bring with them not just their list of candidates to vote for but also curiosity, warmth and a sense of humor. Afterall, at a bare minimum, we are all mortal and that fact should provide each of us with a starting point.

Alan Earls

Franklin Resident

To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Invisible Stories - #5 - "Helping Homeless People During Coronavirus in Los Angeles"

"there are so many ways to help our unhoused community"

Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) tweeted on Sun, Jul 11, 2021:

Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand and can't ignore. 

Link to the 5th of the series: https://youtu.be/8pWTs9hxKls

Link to the series: https://t.co/Y0NRNIujar 

Shared from Twitter:    https://twitter.com/hardlynormal/status/1414284287034155020

Note: I met Mark at a social media conference many years ago and have been following his work. This series is very well done. Yes, the series is set in LA but homelessness is an issue all around us whether visible or not. 

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

This program is open to any senior who would like to connect with a volunteer for a  friendly conversation. Volunteers will call a senior to check in on them, carry on  conversations and just spend time getting to know each other.

• If you would like to receive phone calls from a volunteers, please call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 ext. 3031.
• If you would like to become a Virtual Neighbor, please sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org

Download a copy of the flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u-eqa8lI17AenW26MZyVVCYcoULgndDw/view?usp=sharing

This program is similar to that discussed in the recent interview shared here. The Norfolk County RSVP office is offering free training for seniors to become virtual neighbors or help with literacy. If you missed the posting, the audio is available here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-439-norfolk-county-rsvp-011321-audio.html

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

Neighborhood volunteers are needed to help residents aged 60 and older with snow removal. Volunteers would create a path which allows the resident, emergency response personnel, Meals on Wheels delivery people, mail carriers and other visitors to get in and out of the house safely. 

The volunteer will shovel for that same resident after each snowstorm. Teenagers welcome over the age of 12 with parental waiver completed.

Volunteers needed in the following towns:

Bellingham, Blackstone, Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, E. Brookfield, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, N. Brookfield, Oxford, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster & W. Brookfield

Sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org or call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 x-3031

Download a copy of the flyer:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZNjdl7bOGOUeuvZPNv7Wtb0oprjCZKwE/view?usp=sharing

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

In these times of uncertainty we know one thing clearly, that love never has to be rationed or quarantined.  The truth is, we all need each other more than ever right now. We need each other in so many ways, both big and small. We need to rely and lean on one another and to be compassionate, understanding, and patient with one another. We need to focus on being there for one another in the best and safest way we can.

Please read on to see how you can help whether it be from your home or in the community.

Challenge for all Volunteers

Here is a FUN family project. Who's up for a Letter Writing Challenge! All you have to do is wash your hands and put your love on.  If we can't thank, visit a sick person or give gratitude in person, we can do it in a personal note. The list is endless on who you can send a note to.  Here are some ideas of people/neighbors we can offer hope, kindness and a smile to: 

• a neighbor you have not seen or you know can use a positive note
• those who are bereaved or supporting the bereaved
• those who are anxious or feeling afraid
• people alone and isolated
• those working at risk jobs and essential workers
• a teacher
• the local food pantry
• a medical professional
• our fire and police

The challenge is to send two notes within two days to the people of your choice. One could be to say hello/thinking of you and another could be a thank-you/gratitude note.  We have 173 active volunteers.  Let's see if we can get at least half of our volunteers to participate.  If you accept the challenge please let us know by signing-up through the volunteer system.  Happy Writing!   

Important NEW Volunteer Requirements due to COVID-19

While we wait for our services to be called upon from location organizations such as senior center, food pantry, police, fire, and of course our neighbors in need please make sure you have met the NEW volunteer requirements.  They include reading the NB Handbook, Food Handler Training, COVID-19 Preparedness, and have a current CORI check on file. You can check to see if you met this criteria by logging into your account and clicking on Profile on the top right heading and selecting Qualifications.  It should look like the highlighted areas below.  If it doesn't then you will need to complete those tasks by clicking on the information button circled in red and following the instructions.  If you have any questions or need help accessing your account please feel free to reach out.

Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

Community Opportunities

YMCA -  Growing demand for families in need of food is happening. Drop off box at YMCA is outside from 9am-6pm daily. Recommended following food items: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes.

Franklin Food Pantry needed wish list items can be ordered on Amazon using the following link  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share

Tri Valley Meals on Wheels is in need of temporary volunteers to drive meals to residents in Franklin, Medway and Bellingham.  They have a volunteer sign up time from 11:00-12:30 Monday-Friday at the Grace Baptist church on Beaver street. You will need to bring your license and front page of your car insurance with line 5 highlighted. Any questions, call Gail Hamilton 508-520-1422.

Stay home when you can, find joy in the small moments and spread kindness when it's needed greatly!

Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri
Franklin MA Neighbor Brigade Chapter Co-Leaders
FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

Volunteer Login: http://volunteer.neighborbrigade.org

"the need for the housing outweighs the local concerns"

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, April 21, 2016 opened the hearing on Madalene Village. After hearing the comments and concerns from several neighbors the ZBA authorized the hiring of a traffic study and an attorney to help them process the proposal.

The ZBA attorney just hired to assist with the Madalene Village proposals, turned to the audience and provided an overview of the regulations around the 40B legislation. One key concept is 

"the need for the housing outweighs the local concerns"

------

The following letter was submitted to the ZBA and summarizes the multiple concerns of the neighbors:

"The abutter community has many concerns with the Madalene Village development proposed for the 3.87 acre parcel of land abutting Cottage and Peck Street. As we have spoken to town officials and neighbors and reviewed the documentation provide by the developer, we have uncovered grave concerns with the proposal that would adversely impact the current residents of our neighborhood and also negatively affect the interests of the greater Franklin community. 

Our concerns fall into the broad categories of environmental and conservation, safety of current residents, safety of future residents, health issues and matters of integration into the existing neighborhood. They are as follows:"

a view of the 'intermittent drainage ditch' or stream from Peck St.

Continue reading the full set of arguments in the embedded document:



The 40B resources on the MA.gov site can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/hed/community/40b-plan/

The Zoning Board of Appeals page on the official Town of Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBA/index

Madelene Village scheduled for ZBA meeting - Apr 21

Madalene Village is a proposal to build a 40 unit condominium development along a stream by Fletcher Field with one entrance on Peck St and the other on Cottage. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the proposal Thursday, April 21 at 7:40. (ZBA meeting starts at 7:30 PM). A group of neighbors affected by the project are planning to participate.


Background documentation on the proposal:

1. Civil Engineering Plans for the development
2. The contact info for the development team
3. A 7/17/15 letter from the Town of Franklin to MassHousing citing the town's concerns about the project
4. A 12/18/15 letter from the Town of Franklin to MassHousing reiterating their concerns
5. A 2/12/16 site approval letter from MassHousing

The stream in question as seen from Wachusett St looking toward Fletcher Field

SAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
SAVE SPRUCE POND BROOK!
STOP MADELENE VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT
ATTEND THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING AND BE HEARD

Neighborhood Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/533620563465404/

Neighbor Brigade: help is next door!

Hi All,

Many of you have already heard of the Franklin Chapter of Neighbor Brigade, some have not. I have the pleasure of volunteering for this group as a meal-deliverer, occasional driver and as the chapter leader.

Unfortunately for a couple families in town, we are very busy right now. Happily for us volunteers who enjoy connecting with this community when we can, we are full with appreciation and gratitude to help out.

Two of our current Franklin families are going through treatments from cancer ; another a family crisis; and a forth in the works who is coping with a new diagnosis of cancer and surgery challenges. Take a look below at the description of Neighbor Brigade and consider volunteering, with absolutely no pressure to give time, unless it fits into your schedule...

Franklin Neighbor Brigade – Help is next door. The Franklin chapter of Neighbor Brigade is actively recruiting volunteers! 

Neighbor Brigade establishes and mobilizes community-specific networks of volunteers that provide free and immediate support services to residents during times of temporary crisis – such as serious illness, major surgery, sudden accident or tragedy. Services include meal delivery, local rides, help with household duties, help with errands, and more. 

To learn about the Franklin network or find out how we can help you or someone you know, contact chapter leader Linda Gagnon 617-335-5452. Or go to: http://www.neighborbrigade.org/chapters/FranklinMA

 To join the Franklin chapter, you must be a resident and can sign up when you go to: http://www.neighborbrigade3.org/live/other-forms/volunteer-application/?status=New&chapter=FranklinMA

Neighbor Brigade's main site (all chapters in MA):
http://www.neighborbrigade.org/

With gratitude,

Linda Gagnon, Franklin resident for 24 years


Neighbor Brigade Inc.
617-335-5452/ 
FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org


Like Us On Facebook!

Updated 11/8/13 4:30 PM with corrected text and links

Pam's Run for Neighbor Brigade

Today marks "One Month Until Pam's Run for Neighbor Brigade"

To sign up to run:

www.Pamsrun.com

To donate:

http://www.crowdrise.com/franklinneighborbrig

Linda Gagnon
Neighbor Brigade Inc.
617-335-5452/ FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.orgLike Us On Facebook!
http://www.crowdrise.com/franklinneighborbrig

Run for the Neighbor Brigade - Pam's Run

Franklin benefits from the good works done by our chapter of the Neighbor Brigade. Runners and walkers can participate in either a 3 mile or 5 mile course. All are welcome to contribute to the cause. Follow the link to register for the race or contribute.

“A road race that brings groups of neighbors together to support their communities had long been a dream of Pam’s,” said Nowland. “She understood the power of small, everyday acts of kindness and support, and something like this, which is so grounded in community to benefit Neighbor Brigade’s cause, would have made her heart sing.” 

Pam’s Run will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. A party will be hosted throughout the event with food and fun for all ages. 

The race will start and finish at Loker School, located at 47 Loker St. in Wayland. 

To register for Pam’s Run go online (www.pamsrun.com). Registration is $30 per participant.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x997494997/Pams-Run-in-Wayland-to-honor-Neighbor-Brigade-founder#ixzz2bYpJsx00


47 Loker St, Wayland, MA


View Larger Map


Related posts on Franklin's Neighbor Brigade

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/in-times-of-challege-there-is-franklin.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/a-wonderful-community-service.html

In times of challege there is the Franklin Neighbor Brigade

Friendly reminder, as the summer time approaches, you may hear of a neighbor in need and wonder where to turn for help.

Franklin Neighbor Brigade is a resourceful group of volunteers ready to help when immediate friends and family can’t do it all. We are ready to help families in times of crisis, such as illness, serious injury or tragic events. “Help is next door” is what we look to achieve in connecting with others to help during times of temporary crisis.

How do you reach out to the Neighbor Brigade?  You can contact

Linda Gagnon
Neighbor Brigade Inc.
617-335-5452/ FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

Related posts:
Most of the content in this post originally appeared here in April
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/yes-there-is-neighbor-brigade-in.html

The Milford Daily News wrote about the Neighbor Brigade in April
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/a-wonderful-community-service.html

The School Dept used one of their alerts to parents to let folks know of the Neighbor Brigade
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-public-schools-updates.html


Disclosure: Linda Gagnon has a close volunteer relationship with the Franklin Food Pantry. Wearing my other hat of Chairman of the Board for the Food Pantry, we appreciate that a great deal. Neighbors helping neighbors makes our little corner of the world bearable.

"a wonderful community service"

The Milford Daily News covers the Neighbor Brigade here in Franklin.

The goal is to get every town in Massachusetts to join," said Gagnon, who started recruiting for Franklin’s chapter early last summer. 

As chapter leader, Gagnon’s job is to schedule volunteers when new requests roll in. Depending on the circumstances, their work takes on many forms, from shopping for groceries to cleaning a home to preparing dinner. 

For instance, Gagnon has volunteers aiding a 37-year-old mother who’s preparing to undergo cancer treatment. They will help the woman’s family for two months while she recovers. 

"We need everything covered so the family can go on in a somewhat normal way," Gagnon said. "We are going to do weekly house cleaning and whatever else comes about. I have volunteers set up to go in there each Tuesday for two to three hours.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x179153788/Franklin-Neighbor-Brigade-provides-help-for-any-task#ixzz2RqPKASVh


Related posts:
Yes, there is a Neighbor Brigade in Franklin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/yes-there-is-neighbor-brigade-in.html

The Neighbor Brigade was highlighted in the recent Schools update
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-public-schools-updates.html

Visit the Neighbor Brigade website http://www.neighborbrigade.org/chapters/FranklinMA

Franklin Public Schools: Updates

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello By now we are all trying to make sense of the irrational tragedy that occurred at the Boston Marathon. This tragedy has touched our community as our many of our teachers,parents, neighbors and students were participants in this annual event. I know we will keep the victims in our thoughts and in our hearts. During these times channeling our actions into good can help us to remember that most of the people we meet are good and caring. We want to welcome a new community group that serves to help any member of our community who may need assistance. The Franklin Neighbor Brigade is a community of volunteers from Franklin dedicated to helping an making a difference. They are ready with a meal, a ride or to help with household errands. If you know anyone who needs a helping hand please reach our to the Franklin Neighbor Brigade.  Here is the link for more information http://www.neighborbrigade2.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/General-Flyer.pdf Tour of Franklin HS / April 24 The School Committee and administration will be hosting a tour of Franklin HS on Wednesday April 24 at 6:00 pm. Meet in the lobby. Please join us. Regards and enjoy the rest of the week, Maureen Sabolinski This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.