Look for some Horace Mann mugs at the Empty Bowls silent auction

via Jeff Roy

"The Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and I are excited to launch our preparations for the 2026 event to support the Franklin Food Pantry in May. Reuniting with the team to share ideas and decide on silent auction items has been productive.

This year, we've decided to design and make mugs to commemorate Horace Mann's 230th birthday.

You can find these mugs at the 11th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser silent auction scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6 PM at Franklin High School.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the event. "

You can purchase tickets at https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/happenings/events/emptybowls-2/

Additional photos can be found - https://www.facebook.com/share/1EjE7sNKxe/

Reminder: SAFE Gala online auction open and ready

OUR ONLINE AUCTION IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! https://tinyurl.com/bidsafe

You don't have to attend the gala to bid—anyone can participate in our virtual silent auction supporting SAFE Coalition's 10th Anniversary Gala!

Browse 60+ items including tickets to Kimberly Akimbo and Motley Crue, gift cards to local restaurants, custom portraits, self-care packages, and so much more. New items added daily!

How to participate:

• Already have a gala ticket? You're all set—log in with the email on your ticket.
• Want to bid but not attending? Register for FREE by clicking "Buy Tickets" and selecting "Virtual Auction Access" (does NOT include admission to the gala)

All proceeds support SAFE's life-saving prevention, recovery, and mental health services. Happy bidding!

Note: Tickets for the Gala have sold out

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You Don't Have to Attend the Gala to Bid! The Virtual Auction is OPEN

The online auction for SAFE's 10th Anniversary Gala is officially OPEN and you don't have to attend the gala to participate!   Here's a sneak peek at what's up for grabs across 60+ items: Tickets to Kimberly Akimbo and Motley Crue Gift cards to BJ's Brewhouse, The Rome Restaurant, and more local favorites Vacation planning services, a Day Trip to Mystic Seaport, and a Boston Tourist package Custom portraits, jewelry, and home goods Self-care packages, custom training sessions, and an outdoor fire pit Here's how to get started:   NOT attending the gala but want to bid? Register for free at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/safe2026/items/ and select "Virtual Auction Access - NO EVENT ADMISSION." This gives you access to browse and bid online only; it is NOT a ticket or admission to the gala event itself. If you'd like to attend the gala in person, select "Individual Ticket" instead, which also includes virtual auction access.   Already have a gala ticket? You already have access! Use the email address associated with your ticket to log in (please do NOT register for "Virtual Auction Access”). You can also click "Set Up Bidding" in your confirmation email (subject: "Your 2026 SAFE Gala Tickets") to log in and start browsing.  Having trouble? Email our support team at info@safecoalitionma.org All auction proceeds support SAFE Coalition's life-saving prevention, recovery, and mental health programs across southeastern Massachusetts. Happy bidding!     Thank you for your continued support of SAFE's life-saving work! Our Contact Information SAFE Coalition 31 Hayward St., Suite 2C Franklin, MA 02038-0434 508-488-8105 http://www.safecoalitionma.org

Silent Auction to Support The Pantry is live and ready for your bidding

Silent Auction to Support The Pantry
 is live and ready for your bidding

Did your see that the silent auction to support The Pantry is open now through Saturday, March 28?!? 

Here are just a few of the experiences and items to bid on.  -->

All proceeds directly support The Pantry and our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. 

Don't miss out! 

Visit our website for complete information: https://givebutter.com/c/partyforpantry26

Bids close out Saturday night during the Party For The Pantry

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ak5dSr9k3/

Support The Pantry: Our Online Silent Auction is LIVE!

Bid now through March 28th to support The Pantry

Silent Auction is Open for Bidding The Party for The Pantry online silent auction is LIVE! From local experiences to one-of-a-kind gift packages, there is something for everyone—and the best part is you can browse and bid from the comfort of your home. Every winning bid directly supports our mission to provide food and essential support to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.  Online bidding opens on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12pm and closes on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 9:15pm. CLICK HERE TO BROWSE AND BID In-Person Travel Auction We're partnering with the AmFund Foundation to offer eight incredible, high-end travel packages at Party for The Pantry! Destinations Include: Amalfi Coast, Milan, Greece, France, Ireland, Nashville, Key West, and an Alaskan Cruise. Complete details are available on our website. These trips will be available for in-person bidding only at Party for The Pantry at THE BLACK BOX on March 28th. Not able to attend Party for The Pantry in-person but still want to take part in the travel auction? Contact Julie Manninen from AmFund at Julie@amfund.org for details. Purchase Tickets for Party for The Pantry Tickets for Party for The Pantry are selling quickly! Don't miss out on an incredible night of music, community, and giving. Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 7pm Location: THE BLACK BOX, Franklin, MA Purchase tickets for this 21+ event HERE. Franklin Food Pantry | PO Box 116 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Have you got your tickets? We're talking about the Party for The Pantry - March 28 (audio)

FM #1682 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1682 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Marsha Tait, Development Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, Jen Johnson, Development Associate, and Bill Donavan, (Director of A/V with Stage Edge). We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Franklin Food Pantry on Monday, March 2, 2026. 

Discussion items: 

• Tickets on sale for Party for the Pantry; March 28 at THE BLACK BOX

• Online bidding for silent auction items opens March 19

• Bidding for travel opportunities opens the night of

• 3 bands to provide entertainment - Fab 3, Karate Show, and South Street Six

• Light food items catered by Chef Kristen Precourt, KCooks 

The conversation runs about 20 minutes. Let’s listen in 

audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1682-party-for-the-pantry-03-02-26/

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Party for The Pantry page (tickets and travel auction descriptions) https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/happenings/events/party/

Sponsorships still open at link above

Raydio (Your 24/7 Local Soundtrack via the Internet) - https://localraydio.com/ 

K-Cooks LLC - https://www.k-cooks.com/

2025 Annual report of The Pantry - https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FY25-Annual-Report-2-page.pdf 

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/ 

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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"

Showcase your business at the SAFE Coalition Gala April 17, 2026

Showcase your business at the SAFE
Coalition Gala April 17, 2026

The SAFE Coalition is celebrating 10 years, and we need YOUR help making our Anniversary Gala silent auction unforgettable!

We're looking for donated items and experiences like: 

• Gift cards & gift baskets 
• Spa, salon, or wellness packages 
• Restaurant gift certificates 
• Event tickets or memberships 
• Vacation stays or travel experiences 
• Unique products from local shops 
• Art, handmade goods, or specialty items

Donate items today: https://forms.office.com/r/KwDwmnVTYY or email info@safecoalitionma.org 

As an auction donor, your contribution will be featured in our online auction prior to the event, during the event, and in our event materials, providing excellent exposure for your organization while supporting a cause that is making a real difference!

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUoObq5lJMh/

The SAFE Gala Auction is going digital so that anyone, anywhere can participate

The SAFE Gala Auction is going digital
so that anyone, anywhere can participate

This year, the SAFE Gala Auction is going digital so that anyone, anywhere can participate and make a difference by bidding on items in our silent auction! 

 

Start bidding now: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/safegala/items/

Not attending the gala? That's okay! You will just need to register for the auction by following these simple steps:

1. Go to the “Purchase Tickets” page

2. Select the “Silent Auction Access” package

3. Complete registration

4. Select “Set up Bidding”

5. Follow prompts Start bidding!

#safegala25 #makeadifference #onlineauction #massachusetts

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AYjS5nWGS/ 

Creative Corner Silent Auction Fundraiser - Closes April 20

Creative Corner Silent Auction Fundraiser

"Hello to our community! To help reaching our fundraising goal for our move, we are holding a virtual silent auction!  

We have talented local artist donating their work to support keeping the heart of the arts alive in Franklin!  

Click on the link to checkout the art and make a bid- https://forms.gle/nEVi2wBHpBHQAeia7

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BtPjtucRW/