Franklin Food Pantry Releases Client Needs Assessment

Report Provides Overview of Food Insecurity in Franklin Community

 

The Franklin Food Pantry is proud to release its Client Needs Assessment, a comprehensive overview of food insecurity in the Franklin community with recommendations to address the crisis. In 2021 and early 2022, the Franklin Food Pantry reviewed expert literature on food insecurity, conducted research among its current neighbors, interviewed community partners and assessed third-party data sources. The report’s findings will drive programming and operational initiatives to reach more households experiencing food insecurity and related challenges.

The Franklin Food Pantry will focus on the following areas to better support its neighbors:

• Community awareness
• Nutrition
• Community garden
• Partnerships, programs and wrap around services
• Youth programs
• Transportation
• Housing

“The biggest take-away of the Community Needs Assessment is that many more people in Franklin are food insecure than we see accessing our services. We have always assumed there are those in the community whom we haven’t reached, but it was difficult to confirm this assumption with only internal data,” said Tina Powderly, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

“The report shows that in Franklin, while there are 3,284 people who receive MassHealth, only 1,508 are enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). That translates to 549 to 755 households who could benefit from The Pantry but who do not currently shop with us. We want to reach those individuals and encourage them to visit us. As we support people in becoming more food secure, we must focus on moving out of their immediate anxiety so clients can think long term. We can do that with programming to help progress along a continuum toward stability.”

The report includes answers from a weekly question that staff asked current Pantry clients. The information gathered from the clients’ answers will influence future Pantry programming. To date, the Pantry has increased community garden beds, implemented client service office hours, provided free Covid-19 test kits, offered a hybrid distribution method, and launched a new mobile pantry site.  The Pantry continues to evaluate future programming based on feedback from its neighbors.

Franklin Food Pantry Releases Client Needs Assessment

“This assessment shines a bright light on our neighbors’ struggles and what resources are available to help them,” continued Powderly. “Food insecurity is not just an individual problem. It is a community, state and national problem, and we all must work together to help lessen food insecurity. We are very grateful to our local partners for their participation in this critical research and for their collaboration and hard work addressing the issues outlined in the Community Needs Assessment.”

To read the entire report please visit our website. If you or someone you know needs additional help, please direct them to The Pantry. 

The Pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:30 –6:30 PM for drive-up distribution (no appointment needed), and Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM for appointment-only shopping. 

About the Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs.  

Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. 

Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.  

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for August 2022

Library Hours

The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays in July and August.

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, August 12th,  1:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, August 13th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Museum Passes

Your Franklin Public Library card gives you the opportunity to receive either free or reduced cost admission to many of the areas' most popular museums and attractions! Some of the most popular destinations are the Boston Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and the Mass State Parks Pass. Reservations may be made up to thirty days in advance on the Museum Pass page of the library's website. Be sure to check back regularly as we are continually adding more passes for you to enjoy!

New Materials

See the newest additions to our collections at the Franklin Public Library!

 

Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

Let us know what you think about our services, staff, programs, and collections in this brief survey!  ->  Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

 

From the Friends of the Franklin Library

From the friends…We have a couple items to note this month starting with an exciting announcement for a local teen. We'd like to congratulate recent Franklin High School graduate Gwenne Balcius, the 2022 Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship recipient. This year participants were asked to reflect on the heroes in their life, we received many stellar submissions and want to thank all who participated. Gwenne's delightful essay identified the hero figures she's had throughout her life as she moved across the country and entered new schools, local librarians. Thank you, Gwenne, for sharing your story and the important role libraries and local librarians have had on you. Gwenne will be heading off to Clark University in the fall. Keep an eye out for an update and feature on Gwenne in the coming months

The annual $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a college-bound senior in memory of Wilma Winters, a dedicated Franklin Public Library volunteer. Thank you again to all applicants.

Next, how about a meet up? It's summer and there are plenty of wonderful happenings around town including the Franklin Farmers' Market. So, we thought why not join in on the fun? We invite you to stop by our Friends of the Franklin Library table on Friday, August 5 to learn more about the Friends, meet some of our members and enter our "Bucket of Summer Fun" giveaway! We can't wait to see you there.

Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Franklin Public Library's collections and programs. Want to learn more about becoming a Friend? Drop us a line at FoFL02038@gmail.com for more information on the Friends.

There is so much happening at the Library, the newsletter is too long to publish here. For the full set of content, please visit the Library page ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/august-2022-franklin-public-library-news-events

The Library is also a stop on the Ladybug Trail

Governor Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services

 Governor Charlie Baker today (07/29/22) signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an Executive Order issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth.  All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth. 

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that we in Massachusetts affirm that our state will continue to ensure access to reproductive health care services,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”

“Like so many others, I was devastated by this extremist Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. I am very proud that, with the signing of this legislation, Massachusetts will continue to be a national leader in protecting and defending the rights of our residents and of those people who come here seeking access to health care," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Pregnant people, trans people, and all people must be allowed to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their physician without fear. Our fight to protect the rights and dignity of our residents cannot end today, however, and so the Senate will continue to explore ways to uphold our fundamental rights. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate who stood together to act quickly and decisively on this issue, to Speaker Mariano and the House of Representatives, and to Governor Baker for his quick action as well."

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to ignore nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and overturn Roe v. Wade, and as states across the country move to restrict access to abortion, I’m incredibly proud of the fact that elected officials in Massachusetts have acted to ensure that the Commonwealth can serve as a safe haven for women seeking reproductive health care services, and for providers whose licenses could be at risk because of laws passed in other states,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The protections that are codified into law with this legislation, which will help to ensure that no woman will ever be forced to leave Massachusetts to access reproductive health care services because of devastating medical news during the later stages of their pregnancy, have never been more important. I want to thank all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate and in the Administration, for their commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose, and for the hard work and cooperation that ultimately facilitated the passage of this legislation.”

The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts. The law also codifies several protections that Governor Baker put in place by Executive Order last month to prohibit the Commonwealth from assisting with other states’ investigations or legal proceedings regarding health care services that may be restricted in other states. The law also includes requirements for insurers to cover reproductive health care services, provisions addressing abortions performed at 24 weeks or later and measures that expand access to contraception across the Commonwealth.

Link to Legislation document ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5090

Gov Baker, Senate President Spilka at bill signing (photo Governors press release)

"Oil company profits boom as Americans reel from high fuel prices"

"The US’s biggest oil companies pumped out record profits over the last few months as Americans struggled to pay for gasoline, food and other basic necessities.

On Friday, ExxonMobil reported an unprecedented $17.85bn (£14.77bn) profit for the second quarter, nearly four times as much as the same period a year ago, and Chevron made a record $11.62bn (£9.61bn). The sky-high profits were announced one day after the UK’s Shell shattered its own profit record.

Soaring energy prices have rattled consumers and become a political flashpoint. “We’re going to make sure everybody knows Exxon’s profits,” Joe Biden said in June. “Exxon made more money than God this year.”

The record profits came after similarly outsized gains in the first quarter when the largest oil companies made close to $100bn in profits."

Continue reading The Guardian article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/29/oil-gas-company-profits-fuel-prices-shell-exxon-chevron

Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP Files/AFP/Getty Images

*** Last call to apply: MassCEC is seeking home decarbonization pilot participants

Apply by July 31st!

View this message in your browser   As a reminder, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is currently seeking around 30 homes to participate in the first cohort of the Decarbonization Pathways Pilot. This new pilot will offer technical support, generous financial incentives, and performance monitoring to implement high-efficiency decarbonization measures. This is a great opportunity to get the technical support and financial assistance to bring your home into the 21st century! Applications will be accepted until midnight this Sunday, July 31, 2022. Don't miss out on the application window! Please consider applying and share this opportunity with your network. If you have any questions, please contact us at buildings@masscec.com.    MassCEC is specifically looking for participants who intend to install whole-home heat pump systems within the coming year and are interested in completely eliminating fossil fuels from their homes during the pilot. We will also be looking for geographic, income, and building type diversity within the cohort.  Apply Click here to learn more about the pilot background, applicant eligibility, incentive levels, and the application process.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center · 294 Washington St. · Suite 1150 · Boston, MA 02108 · USA

Reminder: St John's Episcopal Church: Multi-Family Yard Sale - Aug 6

Come shop at the Multi-Family Yard Sale on Saturday, August 6 from 9 AM - 2 PM

Lot’s of great bargains!

St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin

For more information:

Call 508-528-2387  or Email Admin@StJohnsFranklinMA.org

Like us on Facebook  and Twitter

See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org 

St John's Episcopal Church:  Multi-Family Yard Sale - Aug 6

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update on the period JULY 18 - JULY 29

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW JULY 18 - JULY 29 I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill Congressman Auchincloss speaking with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about improved infrastructure for walking and cycling Modernizing Our Transportation: I recently wrote in Strong Towns about the need to change our approach to transportation. The president recently advocated for a gas tax holiday, which would save drivers only a few dollars over a few months. It also does not address the core problem. We don't need a gas tax holiday. We need a gas tax reset: an overhaul of transportation funding. We must free our infrastructure from the grip of big oil and car-centric planning by handing highways over to the states and redirecting the federal gas tax to support cities and towns' Main Street infrastructure. Americans should not need to own cars to thrive in this century. That requires handing the highways over to the states, and redirecting the federal gas tax to infrastructure for walking, cycling, and transit. President Biden's Visit: Last week, I joined President Biden when he visited Brayton Point in Somerset. Brayton Point is a former coal-fired power plant that is demonstrating the clean energy transition by becoming an offshore wind hub & materials manufacturer. Offshore wind development represents an investment in clean energy, job creation, and meeting the President's climate goals. During his visit, President Biden highlighted how offshore wind will not only contribute to a clean-energy future, but it will also propel job growth and economic development. Clean energy is the fastest growing job sector in America. These jobs pay well and many will not require a college degree. While the Biden Administration and the offshore wind industry are making strides to bring wind energy on the grid, I am working in Congress to advance legislation to promote further development in Massachusetts and across the Eastern Seaboard. Expanding Access to Banking: I introduced the Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act to advance economic equality in our country. This week, my bill passed the House of Representatives as a standalone bill with bipartisan support after having previously passed as part of a larger package. The bill directs banking regulators to work together to address the challenges that new depository institutions face when applying for a bank charter. The bill specifically asks for a strategic plan that takes into consideration the challenges faced by de novo financial institutions, including minority depository institutions (MDIs) and community development financial institutions (CDFIs). This will help ensure all Americans have access to affordable banking services. Our economy has not always worked for all communities equally and one way to address that is to ensure access to diverse and affordable financial services. These services can help individuals save money and help small businesses raise capital. This bill is a necessary step towards advancing economic equality in our country. Protecting Fundamental Rights: Last week, I voted in favor of two critical pieces of legislation to protect fundamental rights for Americans: the Respect for Marriage Act and the Right to Contraception Act. The Respect for Marriage Act ensures that all Americans have the right to marry whom they love by making marriage equality the law of the land. The Right to Contraception Act ensures states cannot limit access to birth control. I will not allow the Supreme Court and Republican legislators to roll back the clock on progress. I urge the Senate to take up both of these bills and codify these critical and fundamental rights. Make your voice heard → Public transit and improved walkability provide affordable ways for millions of Americans to get around and reduce our decades-long overreliance on cars. This will result in lower costs for commuters, greater access to jobs for Americans, and less pollution of our air and water. Let me know below if you support this transition. Do you support shifting our transportation system away from cars and highways and towards walking, biking and transit? Around the Fourth Local Small Businesses: Last week, I spoke at the One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce in Fall River about the work I am doing in Congress to lower costs. It is critical we invest in our workforce and supply chains, as well as tackle geo-economic drivers of inflation, so small businesses can thrive. We also discussed everything from offshore wind development to the opioid crisis to Medicare. It was truly a pleasure to meet and hear from many of our local leaders and small businesses and I will continue my work in Washington to lower costs for families and businesses at a time when prices are painfully high. Sincerely, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110

Gov Baker sent the climate bill back to Legislature with amendments

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER sent the Legislature’s climate change bill back with amendments that appear to rewrite it significantly, including reinstating the governor’s original call for using $750 million in federal aid to jumpstart clean energy innovation in the state.

The governor’s 19-page letter to the Legislature noted he filed his climate change bill last October but lawmakers waited until recently to send their compromise bill to him, leaving little time for compromise with the legislative session ending Sunday.

“I am returning this bill in a timely manner in hopes of reaching a successful compromise with the Legislature soon,” he wrote."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/baker-proposes-major-changes-to-climate-change-bill/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/29/science/state-climate-legislation-limbo-baker-files-amendments/

Link to amendments returned to House & Senate ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5141

Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff )

Can You Recycle This? Take the quiz here

Can You Recycle This? | Educational Recycling Quiz | Recycle Smart MA. (It is a good one, I was not perfect)

Take the quiz here -> https://recyclesmartma.org/quiz/

Can You Recycle This? Take the quiz here

Hat tip to Ray Milici for the link - https://twitter.com/raymilici1199/status/1551768806292348928

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Clinic for Ages 12+ on August 10, 2022

The Franklin Health Department is hosting a free COVID-19 Booster Clinic for ages 12 and up on Wednesday, August 10th from 3-6 PM at the Franklin Senior Center. 

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed.

Register today via the link -> https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Clinic for Ages 12+ on August 10, 2022

From the heat to the proposed 'friendly 40b' process, to the 5 year fiscal outlook, we cover these and more in this Talk Franklin episode - 07/26/22

FM #832 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 832 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing & Communications Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation at the Municipal Building in Jamie’s office. 

Topics for this session

• This heat wave broke, the drought is continuing 

• Weekly Farmers Market, Concert on the Common, food trucks, movie nights

• Hydrant painting contest by DPW, applications due Aug 12, winner announcement in October

• Friendly 40b

• EDC to do their ‘short list’ for the MAPC recommendations at Aug 10 meeting

• Green community presentation at August Town Council meeting

• 5 year fiscal outlook (not published yet but highlights covered)

• Old South Meeting House

• Davis Thayer deed processing underway, discussion in Fall on how best to use it

The conversation runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/The-End-of-the-Heat-Wave--Hydrant-Painting--and-the-New-Friendly-40b-Process-e1lrjsg/a-a8ak6mi

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Hydrant painting contest  https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/hydrant-painting-starts-today

40b collection

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/what-is-40b-why-is-town-of-franklin.html

Beaver St collection

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/what-is-beaver-st-interceptor-why-does.html

Franklin for All webpage 

https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

Green Community story map https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/green-community 

Town budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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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

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"

From the heat to the proposed 'friendly 40b' process, to the 5 year fiscal outlook, we cover these and more in this Talk Franklin episode - 07/26/22

Franklin's Event Outlook: July 29, 2022 to Aug 4, 2022

It's Friday again and time to get to the Town Common; food and music is always a great combo to enjoy outdoor in the summer time! Thanks to the Farmers Market and Concerts on the Common for making this happen. 

Or visit the Common, and then take in either THE BLACK BOX, 67 Degrees, or La Cantina - plenty of choices for this Friday.

Will Dumbledore be at the Happy Potter Party at the Library? Guess you need to go there to find out!

Friday, July 29

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams  (67 Degrees Brewery - check hours)

2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common)

3:30pm - Concerts on the Common: Ken DoRosario  (Town Common)

4:00pm - Food truck: Pangea Cuisine  (Town Common)

4:30pm - Riana's Plate (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:00pm - Summer Theater: Cabaret (ticketed event) (FSPA at THE BLACK BOX)

6:00pm - AK Cody (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Concerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band   (Town Common)

8:00pm - Movie Night: "Wonder"   (Town Common)

Saturday, July 30

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am - Yoga (ticketed event) (67 Degrees Brewery)

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams  (67 Degrees Brewery - check hours)

1:00pm - Harry Potter Party! (Franklin Public Library)

4:00pm - Patrick Durkin (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Tim Mac Music (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, July 31

12:00pm - Art show "Feminine Devine" - Amy Adams  (67 Degrees Brewery - check hours)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - Pups and Pints (67 Degrees Brewery)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar