Lifelong Community Learning: Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

Don't miss out
For Adults Tuesday, May 8
Teen Edition Tuesday, May 15

6:30 - 8:30 PM

$35 per class
Franklin High School

One-Night Workshops

Plan With Me = Jessica Instasi

Let's find your perfect Planning system.During our class we will discuss and review planner options. Some styles that will be mentioned include: Bullet Journaling, memory keeping, school agendas, planning ahead, and so much more!

Plan With Me - Teen Edition = Jessica Instasi

We will discuss and review planner options designed to address your busy schedules including after school clubs and activities, practices and games, homework and more!

Whether a beginner or a pro, there's something in this class for you.

NOTE: Have a planner? Bring it with you.



Franklin Public Schools - Lifelong Learning Institute
Lifelong Community Learning
218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038
www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com
508-613-1480

Plan With Me Workshops Beginning May 8

FHS Outdoor Track Teams take 1st in 4X800 relays at MSTCA Relay Meet

Both the FHS girls and boys 4x800 relay teams captured first place in the D1 MSTCA Relay meet held at Lincoln-Sudbury on Saturday. The FHS results are shown here. The link to the complete set of team results can be found at the end of this posting.


Girls 4x200 Meter Relay
===================================================================
All-Division: # 1:43.58 5/17/2008 Andover HS
Division 1: * 1:43.58 5/17/2008 Andover HS
School Finals H#
===================================================================
1 Andover 'A' 1:43.27# 7

7 Franklin 'A' 1:50.65 5

Girls 4x800 Meter Relay
===================================================================
All-Division: # 9:20.06 5/17/2008 Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. HS
Division 1: * 9:20.06 5/17/2008 Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. HS
School Finals H#
===================================================================
1 Franklin 'A' 9:33.38 2

Girls 4x1600 Meter Relay
================================================================
All-Division: # 20:28.14 5/16/2009 Newton South HS
Division 1: * 20:28.14 5/16/2009 Newton South HS
School Finals
================================================================
1 Newton North 'A' 21:27.76

12 Franklin 'A' 23:55.82

Girls 1600 Sprint Medley
===================================================================
All-Division: # 4:09.30 5/16/2009 Andover HS
Division 1: * 4:09.30 5/16/2009 Andover HS
School Finals H#
===================================================================
1 Acton-Boxborough Reg. 'A' 4:10.97 3

13 Franklin 'A' 4:43.36 2

Girls Distance Medley
================================================================
All-Division: # 11:55.70 1981 Peabody HS
(made at yards =11:53.1 at meters)
Division 1: * 11:55.70 1981 Peabody HS
(made at yards =11:53.1 at meters)
School Finals
================================================================
1 Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. 'A' 13:05.67

13 Franklin 'A' 14:19.77

Girls 4x100 Meter Shuttle Hurdle
===================================================================
All-Division: # 1:02.00 2004 Hopkinton HS
Division 1: * 1:04.00 5/16/2009 Newton North HS
School Finals H#
===================================================================
1 Newton North 'A' 1:05.77 7

10 Franklin 'A' 1:14.30 4

Girls High Jump
======================================================================
All-Division: # 4.80m 5/15/2010 Andover HS, (15' 9")
Division 1: * 4.80m 5/15/2010 Andover HS, (15' 9")
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Lincoln-Sudbury, Girls Lincoln-Sudbury 4.30m 14-01.25

8 Haverhill, Girls Haverhill 4.17m 13-08.25
8 Franklin, Girls Franklin 4.17m 13-08.25

Girls Long Jump
======================================================================
All-Division: # 16.43m 5/15/2010 Pembroke HS, (53' 11")
Division 1: * 16.11m 5/17/2008 Newton North HS, (52' 1.25")
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Lowell, Girls Lowell 14.19m 46-06.75

12 Franklin, Girls Franklin 12.88m 42-03.25


Girls Triple Jump
======================================================================
All-Division: # 33.60m 2004 Hopkinton HS, (110' 3")
Division 1: * 32.98m 4/28/2012 Newton North HS, (108' 2.5")
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Andover A, Girls Andover 29.91m 98-01.75

5 Franklin, Girls Franklin 28.83m 94-07.00


Girls Shot Put
======================================================================
All-Division: # 33.69m 1986 North Attleoboro HS, (110' 6.5")
Division 1: * 32.47m 1979 Brockton HS, (106' 6.25")
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Natick, Girls Natick 28.30m 92-10.25
2 Franklin, Girls Franklin 27.76m 91-01.00

Girls Discus Throw
======================================================================
All-Division: # 98.96m 2003 Dedham HS, (324' 8")
Division 1: * 97.20m 2007 Lowell HS, (318' 11")
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Natick, Girls Natick 91.71m 300-11
2 Newton North, Girls Newton North 85.13m 279-03
3 Franklin, Girls Franklin 73.90m 242-05

Girls Javelin Throw
======================================================================
All-Division: # 97.54m 5/15/2010 Burlington HS, (324' 02")
Division 1: * 89.17m 5/19/2014 Franklin, Franklin
Name Year School Finals
======================================================================
1 Natick, Girls Natick 92.12m* 302-03

4 Franklin, Girls Franklin 74.11m 243-02

Boys 4x800 takes first at the MSCTA state relays! All four ran a PR with a 8:08 total time

School Committee Meeting Recap - April 24, 2018

The School Committee met as regularly scheduled after the presentation and discussion with the Finance Committee final session of the budget hearing. 

The superintendent's report can be found online
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/Superintendent's%20Report%20to%20School%20Committee%20April%2024,%202018.pdf

The agenda for the meeting held on April 24 was posted publicly on that day making it unavailable to be shared here before the meeting. (likely due to school vacation the week before)
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/SCAGENDA%204-24-18.pdf

An excellent recap of what Superintendent Ahern has accomplished in the time she has been here can be found in this Superintendent Evaluation document (within it contains links) to other evidence

http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/o4-24-18%20SC%20Packet/Evidence%20for%20Eval%202017-18.pdf

School Committee: District Improvement Plan - Update April 24, 2018 from Franklin Matters

Superintendent Sara Ahern presenting the update on the DIP plan

My notes recorded live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Consent Agenda - through to Execut...
• Live reporting: Information Matters
• Live Reporting: Discussion / Action Items - Discus...
• Live Reporting: School Committee - April 24, 2018

In the News: Sante Fe Burrito Grill opening Monday, April 30

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With Acapulco’s, Chipotle and Taco Bell a short drive away, the owner of Franklin’s newest Mexican eatery, Santa Fe Burrito Grill, Hector Angel said he’s not too worried. 

The fast-casual restaurant will open in early May, taking the place of Rick’s, which closed in 2014, at 28 West Central St., next to the fire station. 

The food is locally harvested, fresh, and more authentic than competitors, he said. Also, he said, it tends to be cheaper. 

“We make everything from scratch daily here,” he said. “You can tell that the flavor is fresh. You can tell nothing is being reheated. It’s more authentic, more exciting ... And we’re below Chipotle’s price,” he laughed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180429/santa-fe-burrito-grille-in-franklin-to-open-in-early-may

In the News: Sante Fe Burrito Grill opening Monday, April 30

From the Sante Fe Burrito Grill Facebook page, they are opening Monday, April 30   https://www.facebook.com/santafeburritogrill/

Reminder: 8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race - May 5

8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race

5K Run/Walk - 5 mile run - 1.5 mile walk

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Remington Middle School 

628 Washington Street Franklin, MA

USA Track and Field Sanctioned Event

Run or Walk-5k or Run 5 mile Courses through residential neighborhoods on paved roads. 1.5 mile walk through residential neighborhoods. Help support our effort to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multi-use path for Franklin and Bellingham. Post race refreshments. Prizes awarded by category. T-shirts to the first 150 entrants. Participation Medals & raffle prizes and DJ at the site for your enjoyment.

8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race - May 5

Event details and schedule
T-shirts to the first 150 entrants. Prizes awarded by category. Post race refreshments. Race timing by Spitler Race Systems.

• Registration: 8:30 – 9:45 AM
• Start Time: 10 AM
• Start / Finish: 628 Washington St. Franklin, MA (Remington School)
• Run – 5K and 5 mile course through residential neighborhoods
• 1.5 mile walk through residential neighborhoods
• Entry Fee: 
• $30 prior to race day; $35 day of the race 
• $15 Students prior to race day;  $20 day of race for Students

Link to the Rail Trail Committee website with registration info:
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race

Link directly to registration page:
https://www.active.com/franklin-ma/running/distance-running-races/8th-annual-franklin-and-bellingham-franklin-fives-road-race-2018?int=

Link to Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/801815903359955/

FM $144 - Finance Committee - Final Budget Hearing - FY 2019 (audio)

FM #144

This internet radio show or podcast is number 144 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording is of the Finance Committee final budget hearing for the FY 2019 budget review. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. The meeting began at 6:00 PM.

The school budget, Police Dept, and Technology budgets were reviewed and discussed before the committee made its vote to recommend the budget as proposed to the Town Council. The Town Council budget hearings are scheduled for May 16 and 17. The budget is currently unbalanced and the Town Council will need to vote to use approx $1.4M of the debt stabilization account to balance the budget as required.

As mentioned at the beginning of the budget hearings, this is the proposed approach to address the budget shortfall this year, effectively buying some time for many new players in key roles. The FY 2020 budget will also be an issue and by this move (use of debt stabilization funds), there will need to be either an override discussion or significant cuts to the services.

The use of the revolving funds on the school budget side and the use of the debt stabilization funds on the Town side creates a hole that will require some serious discussion and action to resolve. There won’t be an opportunity to avoid the discussion next year.

The meeting itself runs about 39 minutes. My notes were captured via Twitter for this meeting and can be found at FranklinMatters.org/
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/finance-committee-recap-fy-2019-budget.html

Without further ado, here is the audio recording.

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.

If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.

Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

The notes for the meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/04/finance-committee-recap-fy-2019-budget.html

Finance Committee Recap - FY 2019 Budget voted on to move to Town Council

Live reporting from #FinComm0424 meeting: Conley, Dowd, Heumpher, Dugout, Weich, Fleming present. Schools budget up first

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Questions on use of revolving funds for school budget, enrollment down K-8 up at HS, school choice funds continue to decline as that is not open. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Several questions were asked on the use of the revolving funds by the schools to balance the school budget. As you listen to the questions and answers, sometimes it appears that the answer was to another point or to one of the points in the question not to another.

The revolving funds used by the school budget are similar in that to the enterprise funds used by the Town. Fees are collected for a specific purpose (busing, or lunch, on the school side vs. water and sewer on the Town side). Expenses are paid out of the fees to enable the service to be self sustaining.

The questions get at how the revolving funds had accumulated such a balance as to be used last year, and this year for the budget. If the questions were not completely answered to your satisfaction, you may have another chance during the Town Council budget hearings on May 16 and May 17.

The School Committee budget page provides a summary of the various revolving funds.

"The following pages provide an explanation and financial status of the revolving funds
maintained by the District. All balances are as of June 30th in each fiscal year with a year-to-date amount for the current year."

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/23.%20Revolving%20Accounts.pdf

Details on the school budget can be found on their budget page
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/index

Technology next up, simpler as it covers licenses and maintenance for the hardware and software used, consolidation of printing within one budget rather than an increase for this Dept. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

Police Dept up next, most congested traffic is Saturday is when everyone is here, approx 45/folks daily come to station, 25 on weekends. #fincomm0424

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

The discussion on the walk in traffic to the Police Station comes in the context of the new regional dispatch center coming online later this year. The dispatchers would move from the station to the regional center. However, someone will still need to remain staffing the Police station to monitor the folks held in custody as well as this walk in traffic. Discussion is still underway on how to resolve this issue. It will be simpler at the Fire Station as visitors will interact with a kiosk and talk with someone at the regional dispatch center.

Vote on budget leaves $1.4m short of balance with revenue for the TC to take from the budget stabilization fund. #fincomm0424 budget passes 6-0, 3 members absent tonight. Budget hearing at TC scheduled 5/16-17

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) April 24, 2018

The full FY 2019 budget document including the summary letter and several great supporting pieces can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/fy19_complete_budget_fincom_with_page_numbers_0.pdf

or here:

Finance Committee Recap - FY 2019 Budget voted on to move to Town Council

FHS baseball tops KP 14-0

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Saturday, April 28, 2018.


Baseball = Franklin, 14 @ King Philip, 0 – Final
– Franklin’s offense exploded for 14 runs to pick up a win on the road at King Philip. “It was a good team effort,” said Franklin head coach Zach Brown. Scott Elliott had a double, a walk, knocked in a pair of runs, and scored two runs, Jake Macchi walked twice, scored twice and had a double, and Jack Nally had a pair of hits and scored twice for the Panthers. Jason Ulrickson earned the win on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out two in six innings of work.

For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-28-18/

Boys 4x800 takes first at the MSCTA state relays! All four ran a PR with a 8:08 total time pic.twitter.com/Yoty7WHde6

— Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) April 28, 2018

It’s a sweep! Girls 4x800 also takes first at the MSTCA relays

— Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) April 28, 2018

Great turn out from the whole FHS Lax program at Earth Day clean up. The Freshmen were especially excited to be there! pic.twitter.com/65SJvf2qrW

— Mr. St. Bernard (@MrStBernard) April 28, 2018

Great day for the girls throwing relays. Too many placements to mention!

— Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) April 28, 2018

Really proud of FHS Boys Lax for the great turnout at today’s Franklin Earth Day clean up effort. Thank you to @FranklinRec for coordinating such a great community effort!@FHSSports @Franklin_Lax @MrStBernard @BrettLerner1 @ pic.twitter.com/bL55fGsFrT

— FHS BoysLax Boosters (@FHSlax_boosters) April 28, 2018

FHS Panthers

Reminder: The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show - May 4

SAVE THE DATE for The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show on Friday, May 4 at the 
Showcase Live, Patriot Place, Foxboro

The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show - May 4

It is that time of year again!! The 8th Annual Comedy show to benefit Franklin SEPAC is being held on Friday, May 4 at Showcase Live, Patriot Place. 

Enjoy good food, drinks, lots of laughs, and chances to take home fabulous items through the silent auction, food frenzy and raffle. 

All proceeds raised will fund SEPAC’s speakers and social events. Tickets are on sale now on our website: www.franklinsepac.org!! 

If you cannot attend but would like to contribute, we welcome any and all donations. 

Please email us at franklinsepac@gmail.com with any questions.
Hope you can make it!!

GoFundMe: A service dog for PJ

"Our son PJ has an extensive medical history. He used to stop breathing and he would turn fluorescent blue. We found out when he was 9 months old that he needed brain surgery for a malformation of his brain. This surgery saved PJ's life. 

PJ also has a cleft in his Larynx that causes him to aspirate. He has a paralyzed vocal chord, and is completely non verbal. PJ was diagnosed with Autism just shy of his third birthday. He also has PICA disorder, which causes him to want to ingest non edible materials, such as metal, glass, wood chips, rocks etc. 

PJ has truly had a difficult beginning. But PJ is a beautiful, sweet, fearless little boy. He started about a year ago at a special school for children with autism and has really made some great progress. Since being there we have seen more of his personality blossoming and his communication has increased. He is now able to use a special ipad to help him communicate his wants and needs. This school has helped PJ in so many ways. He has become a happier little boy. 

However as he has gotten older/bigger our day to day lives have gotten more challenging for our family and more dangerous for PJ. He is a runner, and has no safety skills as far as traffic and a fetish for any water he can find. Even though he is making some progress we believe there is still more we can do to help him live the best life he can, to help him with his life skills and day to day activities. 

Having done some research on Autism Service Dogs, we have discovered Ry-Con, an Organization in Raleigh NC, that breeds and trains service dog specifically for Autism. Mark Mathis founded this non profit Organization after training a Briard for his own son who is also diagnosed with autism. We have recently gone down to visit Mark and meet some service dogs in training and it was AMAZING!! 

Our son PJ blossomed before our eyes. He made a very magical connection with one dog in particular and we saw a side of PJ that we have never seen before. He was connecting with this dog on a level I never could have imagined. He was seeking him out for interaction. Looking for him as he would try to run towards the road and responding when this dog would herd him back towards the safety of the interior of the yard. PJ was in love with an animal for the first time in his life. 

This special dog laid with PJ in a bed for a rest and PJ was hooked. He was giving love like we have never seen him do. We are sold on the wonderful things this animal can help him with. such as:

• Prevent him from running and wandering into dangerous situations
• Enhance his current therapies
• Help with his sleep patterns
• Ease his anxiety in new or difficult situations
• Allow for some independence at home and when in public
• Engagement and interactions with his peers
• Keep him from ingesting dangerous non edibles

Please consider making a donation.  https://www.gofundme.com/a-service-dog-for-pj

Please also visit Ry-Con Briard Service Dogs website or Facebook page to learn more about the Briard Breed and Autism Service Dogs.

Thank you so much for your consideration."

The Maxfield family from Franklin

GoFundMe:  A service dog for PJ

"lawmakers facing intense pressure from the pharmaceutical industry"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Bills introduced in at least 15 states would impose taxes or fees on prescription painkillers. Several of the measures have bipartisan support and would funnel millions of dollars toward treatment and prevention programs. 

In Montana, state Sen. Roger Webb, a Republican, sees the approach as a way to hold drugmakers accountable for an overdose epidemic that in 2016 claimed 42,000 lives in the U.S., a record. 

“You’re creating the problem,” he said. “You’re going to fix it.” 

Opioids include prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin as well as illegal drugs such as heroin and illicit versions of fentanyl. Public health experts say the crisis started because of overprescribing and aggressive marketing of the drugs that began in the 1990s. The death toll has continued to rise even as prescribing has started to drop."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180428/states-force-opioid-makers-to-pay-for-addiction-epidemic

Franklin Public Library: Jon Berman in concert - Apr 29, 3:00 PM

Musician Jon Berman is scheduled to perform a free concert at the Franklin Public Library on Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 PM

This was shared from the Library page
https://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/04/musician-jon-berman-sunday-april-29-300.html

For more about Jon Berman, visit his page
http://jonbermanmusic.com/

A video sample of Jon's music from YouTube
https://youtu.be/vAXLBQG5LRI

Franklin ArtWeek events daily through May 6

There will be over 50 arts and cultural events in Franklin between April 27 - May 6. See what's on offer!

FRANKLIN ARTWEEK There is so much going on in Franklin this week, we barely know where to start! Over 50 unique events will be held town-wide between April 27 - May 6, including dance, music and theater performances, art projects and classes, historical and cultural talks, and more! For a complete searchable database of ArtWeek events, click on the link below. For a printable calendar of those events in Franklin, click HERE. A few highlights of the week include: Fri, April 27: Taste of ArtWeek kick off at the Franklin Historical Museum from 6-7:30 pm, with free mini dance, improv and musical performances, along with "tastes" from area restaurants Sat, April 28: Art in Motion Live Art Event at the Franklin Public Library from 2-4 pm...watch artists sketch live dancers, musicians and actors as they perform, and try your own hand at drawing Sun, April 29: 1,000 Cranes for Franklin at the Franklin Public Library will be going on all week...write your wish for the town on a piece of paper, then learn to fold an origami crane to create a crowd-sourced art installation Mon, April 30: U.S. Air Force Jazz Band Airmen of Note at Franklin High School offers a jazz clinic at 5 pm and performance at 7 pm Tues, May 1: Empty Bowls Dinner and Fundraiser to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry from 6-8 pm...kids can also make a bowl of their own Wed, May 2: Taste of Israel by Temple Etz Chaim at the Franklin Public Library from 6:30-8 pm. Take a virtual trip to Israel with food, metal crafting, dancing, and more! Thurs, May 3: The Art of the (Wine) Label at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits from 6:30-8:30 pm...wine tasting while creating an artistic wine label of your own Fri, May 4: Found Poetry Teen and Adult Zentangle at the Franklin Rec Dept from 6-8 pm Sat, May 5: Noteable Blend Chorus at the Franklin Historical Museum from 12:00-12:45...fun, free barbershop concert Sun, May 6: Art + Music Family Concert from 3-4:30 pm at Franklin High School. The Worcester Chamber Music Society is coming to Franklin for a multi-media show of classical music paired with artwork created by Franklin's school children and dancers from Festival Ballet Providence And much, much more!! Click here for ArtWeek Calendar ArtWeek is brought to you by the Franklin Cultural Council. "Like" us on Facebook for up-to-date listings of arts and cultural events in town. ArtWeek, a state-wide arts festival, will be held April 27-May 6. Find an ArtWeek event near you at www.artweekma.org Copyright © 2018 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Received this from a friend? Subscribe to our email list.

The ArtWeek calendar for Franklin can also be found https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l2Fh_8m3X3thBGEsv1ggtEQdVN6z19cI/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger on May 12 - Franklin Food Pantry Asks for Special Items and No Expired Food

The Franklin Food Pantry is appealing to the community for some very specific items in this year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. On Saturday, May 12, Franklin letter carriers will pick up donated goods from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.

Because the Pantry is currently overstocked with green beans, black beans, chicken soup and tomato soup, it is asking for residents to please consider donating the items most needed:

• Canned fruit
• Cream of (any kind) soup
• Chowder (any kind)
• Corn
• Cranberry sauce
• Coffee, tea and cocoa
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Deodorant
• Liquid dish soap
• Liquid hand soap

“In our current building, we have very limited space to store a surplus of items,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “That’s why we are asking the community for these very specific items, as well as no expired food. We are so appreciative of all the donations we receive, but unfortunately, we have space limitations.”
The Pantry receives roughly 14,000 pounds of food donations monthly. Every item is checked for expiration dates by volunteers. The expired food must be disposed of, which costs the Pantry time and money. Processing expired food items is challenging for the nonprofit because of its limited resources.

Nearly 100 volunteers helped process food donations
in last year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive 

According to Lynch, “We receive thousands of pounds of outdated products each year. We are asking the community to please check expiration dates on their donations so that we can prevent excess waste and avoid volunteer burnout. This would be such a huge help to us, and much appreciated by our hard-working volunteers.”

Volunteers are still needed for the event. If anyone is interested, they can sign up online at https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/volunteers-needed-for-stamp-out-hunger-may-12/.
Franklin residents can donate to the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail on Saturday, May 12. Some residents may receive the special yellow Stamp Out Hunger grocery bags to use, but any paper or plastic bag can be used. Letter carriers will pick up the bags during their normal mail rounds and will deliver the food to the Franklin Food Pantry.

“We are so thankful to the letter carriers, and a supportive community, for helping us acquire the items that are most needed,” said Lynch. “We have nearly 1,000 individuals who count on us for food on a regular basis. We could not provide for them without the support of such a generous community.”

Lynch said that in lieu of donating goods, individuals who want to support the Pantry can donate online at www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

Franklin Letter Carriers picked up 9,000 pounds of
donations from Franklin residents 

“Monetary donations give us the flexibility to purchase what we need, when we need it,” said Lynch. “We can also purchase fresh food such as fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products to supplement the canned and boxed food donations. We count on both types of donations to provide a wholesome and balanced inventory of products for our clients.”

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting a record 80 million pounds of nonperishable food last year.  For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.