Monday, September 26, 2011

Franklin Food Pantry - Fall Update



Fall is here and we have many invitations to share with you…

Whole Foods Market in Bellingham will be having its last Farmers Market of the season on Monday, September 26th from 4pm – 7pm.  Whole Foods has generously offered to donate all of the proceeds from the outdoor grill station to the Franklin Community Garden!  So please consider grabbing dinner at the Farmers Market grill outside Whole Foods in Bellingham on Monday night.

Visit us at our booth at the Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 2nd from 11am - 4pm.  Our booth will be located in the Berry Insurance lot.  The Harvest Festival is a fun community event filled with great music, over 100 crafters, farmers market, children's activities and more.

Food donations for the Franklin Food Pantry will be accepted at the Franklin Library's semi-annual book sale held on Friday, October 14th from 4pm – 7pm and Saturday, October 15th from 9am – 4pm at the Franklin DPW Garage, Public Service Way off Hayward Street. Please consider donating from our current needs list below.

Food donations for the Franklin Food Pantry will also be accepted at the Franklin Newcomers Craft Fair on Saturday, November 12th from 9am – 4pm at Tri-County High School, 147 Pond Street. Please consider donating from our current needs list below.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we distributed more than 12,000 bags to more than 850 neighbors this past year, an increase of 26 percent. We received more than 83,000 lbs of donations from our community and picked up over 48,000 lbs from the Greater Boston Food Bank to help fill our shelves this past year. We distributed over 115,000 lbs during more than 6,300 visits, averaging 42 new clients each month. We are grateful for the 300+ volunteers who joined us to help us sort, check dates and stock our shelves with these community donations. 

Good food nourishes the body and the spirit. With regular, nutritious meals, we are free to grow, to think, to smile, to live. We aim to provide our clients with a wide range of opportunities for gaining access to local, fresh, nutritious food choices. Our first annual phone-a-thon successfully generated over $11,000 to help us increase our nutritious offerings. A Big Thank You to all of our Franklin neighbors for your support! 

We purchased 10 CSA Shares from Grateful Farm in Franklin and distributed free, fresh, local produce to clients every Saturday morning at the Pantry from 8am – 9am. 

Our Giving Garden located at the King Street Memorial Park Community Gardens is growing strong thanks to a wonderful team of volunteers. 

We are inviting all backyard gardeners to share any excess backyard produce with the Franklin Food Pantry through our Plant a Row program. Produce can be dropped off at the Pantry Tuesday thru Friday 9am – 1pm or Saturday mornings between 7:30 – 8am. 

Thanks to a grant received from the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, we launched our Produce Points program at the Franklin Farmers Market on the Town Common every Friday from 12noon – 6pm through October 28th. If you know anyone who is receiving food stamps, please spread the word that we are doubling their money to spend at the Franklin Farmers Market every Friday. (i.e. if they want to spend $5 of SNAP benefits, we give them $10 to spend at the Market). Visit the Produce Points table at the Franklin Farmers Market to learn more.

Consider donating an item from our Fall Needs list below.  Donations can be dropped off at the Food Pantry (in Rockland Trust parking lot) Tuesdays - Fridays between 9am and 1pm or placed in our collection bin on our front porch anytime.  
If you prefer to write a check or donate online, remember our relationship with the Greater Boston Food Bank stretches monetary donations much further; $20 can provide up to 100 meals!  Every tax deductible donation helps us support more than 850 neighbors throughout the year.

Health and Beauty Products - Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant, Razors etc.
Cleaning Products - Laundry, Dishwasher, All Purpose etc.
Paper Products - Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels, Feminine etc.
Baked Beans / Dry Beans
Baking Mixes / Flour / Sugar
Canned Meat / Fish
Canned Pasta (chef boyardeeish)
Cereal
Coffee / Tea
Flavored Rice and/or Pasta Side mixes
Potatoes
Soups / Stews / Broths
Spices / Seasonings
Fresh and Frozen Produce always welcome

September and October Volunteer opportunities:
Friday, Sept 23rd     3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Friday, Sept 30th     3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Wednesday, Oct 5th   1pm - 2pm (@ Food Pantry)
Friday, Oct 7th     3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Friday, Oct 14th    3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Wednesday, Oct 19th    11am - 12noon  (@ Food Pantry)
Friday, Oct 21st    3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Friday, Oct 28th    3pm - 6pm (@ Franklin Farmers Market on Town Common)
Saturday, Oct 29th     9:30am - 10:30am (@ Food Pantry)


Thank you for making a difference! 

Please forward to any friends or family who may be interested.

--
Anne Marie Bellavance
Franklin Food Pantry
43 West Central Street
PO Box 116
Franklin, MA  02038
(508) 528-3115
www.franklinfoodpantry.org





Note: for those who did receive the email version of this, I did remove the first three paragraphs as I am posting the letter too late for those to be of a help.


Sunday, September 25, 2011

"You don't really think of this as a fundraising place"

The Upton business was already holding a paintball event and Owner David Painter said he was happy to add a fundraising component when contacted by Franklin Town Councilor Glenn Jones, an avid paintball player. 
"This has been a way to show our support as a local business," said Painter, noting he has run breast cancer and multiple sclerosis fundraisers in the past. "We try to give back to the community as much as possible." 
The business donated $5 of each admission charge to the pantry. Jones also ran a raffle for a paintball rifle, selling tickets for $5. Organizers estimated the event raised $500, money Jones said is needed at the pantry. 
The food pantry added 22 new families during the month of June and saw a surge in requests for food after Tropical Storm Irene because many residents had to throw away spoiled food after a multi-day power outage, he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x372775459/Paintball-tourney-raises-cash-for-Franklin-Food-Pantry#ixzz1YxLAzkiS


On behalf of the Franklin Food Pantry Board of Directors, I would like to say thanks to Glenn Jones and the others who participated in this effort to help the Pantry! Every little bit helps.

Franklin commuter line will be delayed Sept. 25, Oct. 2

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/24/11

On Sunday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 2, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company will perform necessary track work on the Franklin commuter rail line between the Norwood Central and Walpole stations. This essential work, which is necessary for safe, reliable service, is scheduled from 6:00am to 8:00pm on Sundays to minimize interruptions to customer service.

Things you can do from here:

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/28/11


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Executive Session April 6, 2011 – to be released, August 10, 2011 and September 14, 2011 Executive Session Minutes Not to be released

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council
Mary Beth Fraser
Janet Norman
Judith Needell
Judith Prueitt-Prentice

Design Review
Nancy Coleman

School Building Committee
Paula Mullen

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - YMCA – Darkness to Light Program

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 11-46: Authorizing Tax Increment Financing Hamilton Storage Technologies Inc, 3 Forge Parkway
2. Resolution 11-50: Additional Appropriation for Comprehensive Feasibility Study of the Franklin High School and Grounds
3. Resolution 11-51: Support for House Bill No. 00869 – An Act relative to the establishment of municipal lighting authorities

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2011tc%20Complete%20With%20Documents/09-28-2011agenda.pdf

"lingering effects of a severe concussion"

McGrath said it became clear that Glass, the son of Diane and Michael Glass, had not been abducted, leaving officials to suspect the ordeal had to do with the aftermath of a concussion Glass received while playing football last fall. 
"Following that, in school, there was at least two episodes he was taken out by ambulance because he collapsed," McGrath said. The teen has had trouble concentrating in school and "has been dealing with the aftermath of that injury." 
A toxicology report showed Glass was not using drugs or alcohol, McGrath said. 
"This speaks loudly to the fact that it's something more related to the concussion," he said.


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x372775289/Wrentham-teens-disappearance-blamed-on-concussion#ixzz1YrR3kZtI



Friday, September 23, 2011

Garden Office Hours - changed

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the short notice, but I will be moving my office hours to Sunday the 25th from 3-5pm.  I'll be in the garden helping to weed, and will be available for any questions.

Cheers,

Chris

--
Visit us on Facebook!
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2 upcoming volunteer opportunities for Franklin Community Gardens!

Hello to our Franklin Community Garden Supporters, Gardeners, and Friends!

We'd like to share some upcoming volunteer opportunities with all of you.

Opportunity 1: 
This coming  Monday, September 26, from 4 pm until 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Bellingham will be having its last Farmers' Market of the season.  
In addition to the usual farm-fresh goodies one finds at a farmers' market, this particular one has a grill station serving up a variety of hot foods, just in time for dinner.  Location: the parking lot in front of the store.

Whole Foods Market has generously offered to donate to our community garden nonprofit (Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.) proceeds from the sale of food from the grill!!!  

Thank you, Whole Foods Market! 

There is a catch, and we need your help:  We (the community garden supporters) must prepare and serve the food.  Of course we will! 
How great is that? Totally. Are you with us?  Yea! 

Please sign up for an hour (or three!) by clicking (or copy/paste) the link below:


If you can not work the grill, then please consider your dinner plans that evening----you could shop the market and buy dinner from the grill knowing that proceeds from dinner go directly back into our garden nonprofit fund (more gardens, more tools, more programs!)

I believe that the items we will be cooking and serving are burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers, surely the healthy ones considering the venue.

More info on the Bellingham Whole Foods Market: http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/bellingham/


Opportunity 2:

King Street Memorial Community Garden Workdays Weekend

Franklin Community Gardens


All are welcome! No signup needed. 

Saturday, Sept 24, 9 am -11 am with King St Garden Coordinator Chris Clay (bring your garden questions!)

Sunday, Sept. 25, 3 pm -5 pm with Amy Acevedo

We will be composting & weeding & generally making the entire garden and surrounding area as neat and tidy as a working garden can be. 

Please bring your own labeled shovels, rakes, and tools.  (And your awesome, sunny selves) 

Check website for weather-related cancellations, I'll post it if we need to cancel---A.


Thank you for putting us on your calendar! 


In Autumn and Abundance,

The Franklin Community Garden Committee & Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc.

7th annual Run for Bob




7th Annual Run for Bob
5k Run/Walk


Sat. 10/1, 9am - 1pm 
(run starts @ 10)

431 Washington Street, Franklin 
(formerly Putnam Investments)
kids' activities, games, prizes, food & more!

$20 / adult ($25 after 9/26)
$10 / child under 12 and Best Buddies participants

Team rate (4 or more participants/team): $15 / person

Come in Franklin sports shirt - for every 3, get 4th entry free!

Ways to register: runforbob.org or hockymca.org

Ariel Doggett, Hock YMCA Coordinator of Integration: 774.235.2722

Free t-shirts to first 300 registered


** All proceeds go to Best Buddies Franklin chapter and the YMCA **
Together, we honor Bob Biagiotti, a Franklin resident who passed away unexpectedly 7 years ago. Some of his greatest times were spent running in 5k's --pushing his daughter Kayla in a stroller modified for her disability. Kayla is a student at FHS and her mom Kris puts together a great family day here in Franklin to benefit charities that have played special roles in her family's life. Join us for the run/walk, see flyer! After the run, meet us for fun - an adult only night at Pinz,see flyer!

* The benefitting charities work to promote mutually respectful relationships between people of all abilities. The YMCA's Integration Initiative provides children with special needs an opportunity to participate with their typically developing peers in all the programs, services and activities offered at the Y. 




In the News - Matthew Glass Found Alive

Matthew was found in Dedham Thursday evening
http://www.milforddailynews.com/topstories/x985874800/UPDATE-Matthew-Glass-found

Matthew's truck was found in Boston
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x438806412/Missing-Wrentham-teen-Matthew-Glass-truck-found-in-Boston

MassBudget: Three new fact sheets on health insurance, poverty and income





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New Census data on poverty rates, health care coverage and household income in Massachusetts

September 22, 2011



The U.S. Census Bureau today released its annual update of state-level poverty rates, household income and health care coverage from the American Community Survey (ACS).
  
The new data show that the overall poverty rate in Massachusetts, having been stable the past three years, showed a statistically significant increase from 10.3 percent in 2009 to 11.4 percent in 2010. The increase in Massachusetts is similar to the rise in poverty nationwide in 2010 -- the overall U.S. poverty rate rose from 14.3 percent in 2009 to 15.3 percent in 2010. The fact sheet 2010 Poverty Rate Increases in Both Massachusetts and Across the Country is available here.
  
Health insurance coverage in Massachusetts far surpasses coverage nationally and in all other states, detailed statistics released by the Census Bureau today confirm. These data are more detailed and precise than the estimates released earlier this month, and show that 96 percent of residents in the Commonwealth had health insurance coverage in 2010. The fact sheet Massachusetts Still Leads in Health Care Coverage is available here.
  
The new Census data show a statistically significant decline of $3,182 or 4.9 percent in median household income (adjusted to 2010 dollars). For the U.S. as a whole, the ACS data show a statistically significant decline of $1,144 or 2.2 percent (also adjusted to 2010 dollars). Since 2007 (in the final month of which, the nation officially fell into recession), median household income in Massachusetts dropped an inflation-adjusted $3,307 or 5.1 percent. During the same period, U.S. median household income fell $3,280 or 6.2 percent. The fact sheet Median Household Income Dropped in Massachusetts and the U.S. in 2010 is available here.
  
See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals offered by the Governor and the Legislature.

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Board of Health alert: EEE September 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN"
Date: Sep 22, 2011 7:08 PM
Subject: EEE September 2011
To:


Hello. This is a public Health Alert from the Franklin Health Department. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has found bird-biting mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the Broad Street area of Medway. Triple-E is a serious virus with a very high mortality rate.
Although no EEE has been found in Franklin yet this season, residents in North Franklin along the Medway border should take all steps necessary to avoid mosquito bites. If you have questions regarding this alert, please contact the Franklin Health Department at 508-520-4905.  Thank you, good night.



To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer.
This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

FDP Board Member Diane Glass's son (Matt) is missing.


Dear FDP Members:
We just received word that Diane Glass's teenage son Matt is missing. Many of you know Diane. She is a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership Board of Directors.

Please help us get the word out by sending the link below to your e-mail lists.  Matt has been missing since Tuesday and may have been visiting Northeastern University on Tuesday.  If anyone has a student at the university please forward Matt's photo.

Thank you for your assistance.  We need your help.
Lisa Piana
Executive Director




Franklin's Harvest Festival - Sun, Oct 2


The Harvest Festival held in Franklin and sponsored by the Downtown Partnership is coming up Sunday, Oct 2.

What organizations will be there?
Where will the booths be located?

Questions like these can be answered by reviewing the layout prepared by the Downtown Partnership:.

2011 Harvest Festival Map


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th


Eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Thurs. Oct. 13th
and Support Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.!

On Thursday October 13th from 4:00 to 10:00 PM Five Guys Burgers and Fries in the Franklin Village Mall will once again generously donate 10% of ALL their sales to the Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.


Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses


Advertising Opportunity for Local Businesses with Franklin Music Boosters, Inc.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is once again producing its annual Ad Book, which is handed out at every concert conducted in the Franklin Public Schools during the 2011-2012 school year. For as little as $50 your company’s message can be before the eyes of thousands of local residents throughout the year. Business card, half page and full page ads are available.

Franklin Music Boosters is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

To advertise in the Ad Book, contact Robin Dao, robindao3@gmail.com. For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.