The Franklin Food Pantry is celebrating two significant acts of generosity that highlight the power of community collaboration. Thanks to a generous donation from BJ's Wholesale Club through its BJ’s Charitable Foundation, The Pantry has received a new, larger refrigerated truck which dramatically increases The Pantry's ability to transport and store food. The Pantry paid forward the donation by gifting its current truck to the Natick Service Council.
The new, donated truck is essential to sustaining The Pantry’s operations. In the past year, The Pantry experienced a 38% increase in demand for hunger relief programs and services.
"We are incredibly grateful to BJ's Wholesale Club for their generous donation, which arrives at a critical time when the need for food services in our community is rising," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "This new refrigerated truck not only improves our operations, and how we serve the community, but it also allows us to pay that generosity forward to the Natick Service Council. Today's celebration is a powerful example of how businesses and nonprofits can join forces to support one another."
In addition to the new truck, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation also donated two commercial cooling units to The Pantry. These units, along with the refrigerated truck, are crucial for keeping fresh produce, dairy, proteins, and other perishable foods from spoiling. Providing access to healthy, nutritious food is a key part of The Pantry's mission, and these items are often the most requested and most costly for families to purchase.
"BJ’s Wholesale Club is driven by a powerful purpose: taking care of the families who depend on us,” said Kirk Saville, Head of Communications, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re proud to support Franklin Food Pantry and have a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work.”
Upon hearing about the new truck from BJ's, the Franklin Food Pantry knew it wanted to pay the generosity forward. Through the Greater Boston Food Bank, The Pantry learned that the Natick Service Council, a nonprofit which supports individuals and families who are experiencing hardship, needed a new vehicle to help the community they serve.
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| One truck arrives, one truck leaves, the giving cycle continues |
For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please contact Laura Du, Client Services Manager, Franklin Food Pantry, at 508-528-3115 or email Ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org.
Additional photos of the new truck arrival, and 'old' truck moving on in this photo album (Courtesy of Franklin Food Pantry) https://photos.app.goo.gl/moDvcK7oZX7Po4k97
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 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 for more information.
About BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BJ) is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs focused on delivering significant value to its members and serving a shared purpose: “We take care of the families who depend on us.” The company provides a wide assortment of fresh foods, produce, a full-service deli, fresh bakery, household essentials, various exclusive offerings, gas and more to deliver unbeatable value to smart-saving families. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the company pioneered the warehouse club model in New England in 1984 and currently operates 255 clubs and 190 BJ's Gas® locations in 21 states. For more information, please visit us at www.BJs.com or on Facebook, or Instagram
