The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to announce that the annual Franklin Turkey Trot is back for its 11th year! The race will take place on Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022, at 8:00 am and for the first time post-Covid, breakfast will be provided for all participants! In addition, all registered runners will be automatically entered in the Turkey Trot Raffle for a chance to win terrific prizes from local businesses! The 5K starts at 91 Jordan Road, Franklin, MA and follows a lollipop route in a local neighborhood.
The $20 early bird registration fee is effective through October 18 and then increases to $25. The registration fee goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need. Participants can register online here. The Pantry will not be able to accept food donations instead of the fee. Runners can also purchase a t-shirt directly from the registration page to commemorate their experience.
Julia DiMarino
"The Turkey Trot is such a wonderful tradition in our community, and we are incredibly grateful that through this event, we can continue to meet our neighbor's needs for food, services and programs. As we navigate a post-Covid world, we will extend our hybrid distribution model, offering both in-person and curbside distribution. We are also expanding our home delivery and mobile pantries to reach those who cannot come to us," said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "Last year we raised an incredible $35,000! With food prices increasing nationally by 13.1% and locally by 10.9% this year, it's more expensive than ever to serve our neighbors in need. Funds from events like the Turkey Trot are critical to our mission to provide hunger relief and vital services to our community."
There is still time to become a sponsor! There are several opportunities for local businesses to sponsor the race. Funds received from sponsorships are used to cover costs associated with the event, including the race registration company, timing technology, insurance, and security details. Funds raised above our expenses go directly to support the Franklin Food Pantry. Interested sponsors should contact Marsha Tait at mtait@franklinfoodpantry.org.
Thank you to our current 2022 sponsors (as of 10/11/22)!
Platinum: Middlesex Bank, MyFM Media
Gold: Capstan Atlantic/Leslie Doughty, Paul A. Longobardi & Son's Trucking, Emmons St LLC
Silver: Franklin Matters, Simons, Vendetti Motors, Alisa Hansen, DRR Contracting, Eagle Stainless Tube, Mike & Maureen Sabolinski, The Morandi Family, Nutrify Performance Nutrition for Women, LLC.
"I'd also like to thank our Turkey Trot Chair, Erin Campbell. We are fortunate to have an incredibly hard-working group of dedicated volunteers, led by Erin, to bring this event to life," said Powderly. "Erin also works tirelessly to secure local businesses to cover the associated costs. The Turkey Trot is an amazing amount of work, and we could not hold this incredible community tradition without Erin's leadership."
"This event has been a tradition in my community for many years and I'm really excited to be a part of making it happen this year! I'm thrilled that breakfast is back and I'm so happy to be able to thank our runners with a free raffle! I'm looking forward to a terrific day and raising funds that will truly help our neighbors in need," said Erin Campbell, Turkey Trot Chair.
2021 Turkey Trot Runners
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 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.
