The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” food drive to benefit the local food pantry at the third annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 1, at the 4 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony.
The charitable community service group’s goal is to collect 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. The campaign will run from December 1 through December 12. Along with a food bin set up at the tree ceremony on the Dean College campus, the Elves are placing bins at six downtown locations where people can drop off non-perishable food items.
According to the Franklin Food Pantry, more than 1,000 residents use its services. Recent Census data shows the need is greater; more than 3,000 Franklin residents, or 9% of the town’s population, are struggling. That need increases in winter due to the cost of heat.
If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds. Franklin Food Elves co-founders Melissa and Cameron Piana and the FDP hope that the community will support the Food Pantry by helping them reach this goal. What will 1,200 pounds and $1,200 do for Franklin? 1,200 pounds of food can provide 923 meals to those in need. The $1,200 can provide an additional 6,000 meals.
Look for food donation bins at these locations:
- Franklin Downtown Partnership office, 9 East Central Street
- Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central Street
- Printsmart Office Supplies, 20 East Central Street
- Berry Insurance, 9 Main Street
- Dean Bank, 21 Main Street
- Dean College, Campus Center
For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com or at (774)571-3109.
For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/.
