Merry Christmas!

The Food Pantry thanks Franklin for being a giving and caring community. Your contributions of food, money and all important time enable the Food Pantry to serve our neighbors.



May you all have a Merry Christmas!

Food Elves Press Release

Your contributions will help us put food on our neighbors table. On behalf of my fellow Food Pantry Board of Directors, let me thank you, the Downtown Partnership, and especially the Food Elves for your time and effort to make this Christmas season a good one! Franklin is a giving and caring community.

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Food Elves Press Release

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 12/21/12

Food Elves Collect Over 2 Tons of Food

The Franklin Food Elves' "12 Days of Donating" campaign exceeded expectations for the second year in a row, bringing in more than two tons of non-perishable goods and over $5,700 to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Working with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses, 50 Food Elves collected 4,223 pounds of goods. Eleven participating businesses each pledged $200 if the Elves met their goal. In addition, DCU donated $1,500, Berry Insurance donated $1,000, and numerous residents also wrote checks. 

According to Linda Sottile, operations director at the Food Pantry, the money donated will be used to purchase goods through the Greater Boston Food Bank, where every $50 translates into 118 meals. The combination of the dollar amount with the weight of goods donated translates into close to 17,000 meals for the families who currently use the pantry. 

"The community's response has been overwhelming," says Sottile. "In addition to the other contributions we've received this season we will definitely have the resources to help get us through March or April." 

"Our need has increased this year and we worried how we were going to meet that need," says Erin Lynch, the Food Pantry's development director. "We are grateful to this community that really stepped up and gave this year."

Co-founders of the Franklin Food Elves Melissa and Cameron Piana are more than thrilled with the results. "It is amazing the good that people can do when everyone works together for a common goal," says Melissa. "We are so proud of our team of elves and for the generosity of the community."  

"It is incredible what can be done in 12 days," Cameron added. "Each year we have been able to double the food donations."

Emma's Quilt Cupboard customers donated six bins worth of goods, according to Cyndi Rich, Emma's owner and FDP board member.  She was one of 11 business participants.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, go to www.franklinfoodpantry.org, or call 508-528-3115. For more information about the Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.frankin@yahoo.com, or go to www.frankindowntownpartnership.org.

 

 

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Food Elves and "12 Days of Donating"

How did the Food Elves and "12 Days of Donating" campaign go?

The Food Elves brought in 2 TONS of food donations for the Food Pantry and $5,700.

A BIG THANK YOU TO All of you who participated...including...

* Berry Insurance, 9 Main St.
* Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
* Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
* Dean College, Campus Center
* DCU, 500 West Central St.
* East Coast Driving School, 25 East Central St.
* Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
* Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
* Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
* Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
* RE/MAX Executive Realty, 445 Franklin Village Dr.

What is the client experience? (video)

Thanks to Eagle Scout Zach Zollo, the Franklin Food Pantry has a couple of videos to share. This one answers the question on "What is the client experience like at the Food Pantry?"

A Christmas Carol - coming next week!

There are tickets left for the show coming up next Thursday, Dec 13.

Tickets available at the FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

during regular museum hours,

Thursday 5:00-8:00PM; Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm-4:00pm

How can I volunteer? (video)

Thanks to Eagle Scout Zach Zollo, the Franklin Food Pantry has a couple of videos to share. This one answers the question on what you could do to volunteer for the Food Pantry.

In the News: Food Elves lending a hand!

The Franklin Food Elves are back for another round of "12 Days of Donating". The Milford Daily News reports on their efforts for the Franklin Food Pantry:

"It’s not the stereotypical family coming in here," Sottile said. "It’s the neighbors; it’s the people who are working. You could have both parents working and still not make enough money to provide." 

Erin Lynch, the food pantry’s developmental director, said Friday the drive brings in the whole town. 

"We love to see the community come together on this," Lynch said. "You can always accomplish more together. This event shows that when you work as a team, you can maximize your resources for the greatest results." 

She added, "When you look at the ways something like this benefits the community, it’s not just the recipients here at the food pantry: It’s any organization that needs help. When you have kids learn they can make a difference, it benefits everybody."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x719500551/Franklin-food-elves-back-for-another-year-of-giving#ixzz2DnulQDdm

More about the Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2012/11/food-drive-kicks-off-thursday.html

'12 Days of Donating' Food Drive Kicks Off Thursday

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Food Drive Kicks Off Thursday

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 11/26/12

Food Elves, FDP Plan '12 Days of Donating' Drive

The Franklin Food Elves are combining forces with the Franklin Downtown Partnership for the "12 Days of Donating" campaign to benefit the local food pantry, and they'll kick off the drive at the fourth annual Holiday Stroll's tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 29, at 4:00 p.m.

As a charitable community service group, the Food Elves aim to collect 1,200 pounds of food in 12 days, from December 1 to December 12, for the Franklin Food Pantry.  More than 50 Elves will ask for food donations in Franklin neighborhoods during the first two weeks in December, and local businesses have pledged their support. If the Food Elves collect 1,200 pounds of goods, eleven participating companies have each pledged a $200 cash donation. 

Ideally the Elves hope to beat last year's drive in which they raised more than 2,000 pounds of goods and $4,000, allowing the Food Pantry to provide 17,000 meals for Franklin families in need last winter.

Franklin Food Elves co-founders Melissa and Cameron Piana and the Partnership hope that the community will support the Food Pantry again this year by helping them reach their goal. 

"Last year we were excited by the generosity of the people in this town," says Cameron Piana.  "Because of those donations we could help the Pantry feed families for several months.  Our timing was good because there is more need in winter when people have to spend money on heat." 

According to the food pantry, 600 households currently use their services, and the number of families struggling increases during the cold months. 1,200 pounds of food can provide approximately 900 meals, and $2,200 can provide an additional 5,500 meals. 

The Food Elves will kick off the "12 Days of Donating" campaign at the Holiday Stroll with a bin at the tree lighting ceremony, and they will place donation bins at these participating businesses:

• Berry Insurance, 9 Main St.
• Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• East Coast Driving School, 25 East Central St.
• Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 445 Franklin Village Dr.

"The Franklin Downtown Partnership is happy to partner with the Franklin Food Elves again this year," says FDP President Nicole Fortier. "We encourage residents to visit the local businesses to drop off their donations. We are pleased to support the teens who are doing such necessary community service work in Franklin."

The Franklin Food Elves are local students ranging from fourth grade through high school:  Colin and Charles Berg; Jack, Katie and Julia Buccella; Cara and Chris Callahan; Corey Cassi; Austin and Carter Castillo; Sarah Carroll; Allie Champlin; Kiara Chan; Amanda Chang; Chris Chou; Kiara Cronin; Karen Cunningham; Jessica Deaver; Julia and Jacob Dextradeur; Ryan Dombroski; Elise and Haley Frank; Sarah Georges; Maddie Gordon; Yagnya Govada; Megan and Julie Harrington; Kirsten Hummel; Victoria Krasnick; Maddie Lacman; Kasey Lynch; Kathryn Mason; Nicolette McCarthy; Laura Murphy; Kyle Neenan; Melissa and Cameron Piana; Lindsey, Sydney and Kaitlyn Rappa; Sara Richardson; Aubree Ronan; Emily Shea; Katie and Ellie Teixeira; Mely Wu. 

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.frankin@yahoo.com or (774) 571-3109. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please contact Development Director Erin Lynch or Operations Director Linda Sottile at (508) 528-1135, or go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/. 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Where is the Franklin Food Pantry? (video)

Thanks to Eagle Scout Zach Zollo, the Food Pantry now has a couple of videos to share. This one answers the question: Where is the Franklin Food Pantry?

Turkey Trot - Family 5K Fun Run - photo essay

The Turkey Trot Family 5K Fun Run held by Feed the Need drew over 300 participants on Thursday morning. The event benefited the Franklin Food Pantry filling the van with food and a donation of about $5,000.

The entry fee was 20 cans or $20. Part of the entry fees collected:

At the end, the Franklin Food Pantry van was filled with all the contributions:

The view of the group before the Start

One happy group running in costume on the course:

On behalf of the Franklin Food Pantry, Many thanks to Hayden Whitmore, the Eagle Scout who organized this event. Thanks to his family and the many volunteers who helped. The contributions to the Food Pantry are deeply appreciated.

This was also posted to Franklin Matters
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/turkey-trot-family-5k-fun-run-photo.html

Turkey Trot Family 5K Fun Run - Nov 22

If you are a runner, or walker you can help the Franklin Food Pantry.

Registration, course map and additional race information can be found at http://www.feedtheneed.org/

If you would like to organize a collection in your neighborhood, you can print out this flyer to use

Hunger Banquet - November 13, 7:00 PM

Losing power seems to be a random event. Your residence loses power and folks on the next block still have power. Frustrating? You bet. During the recent storms, you can drive around Franklin and see houses with lights and power, and then rows of houses in the dark.

Hunger can be like that too. It is usually less visible. The person next to you looks normal. How can you tell if they are hungry? Dean students have set up this event to discuss hunger and its effects.

Taking a “can drive” one step further, Dean College invites the Franklin and surrounding communities to a public “Hunger Banquet” on Tuesday, November 13, in which participants will experience a meal either as an Upper Income citizen, Middle Income citizen, or Lower Income citizen. Dean Community Outreach students conceptualized and will emcee this learning experience where guests will be assigned a class upon arrival and will experience life as a member of that class for the duration of the program. Upper income class guests will receive a scrumptious meal served to them in an upper class setting at a roundtable. Middle income class guests will experience their meal middle class meal at rectangular tables, while the lower income class experiences their meal on the floor.

This event is free. Participants are asked to bring a canned good for the Franklin Food Pantry

Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 PM 

at the Dean College Campus Center

Info from the Dean College calendar
http://www.dean.edu/events/index.cfm?calid=4858

And Franklin Town News
http://franklintownnews.com/content/dean-college-hunger-banquet

"It’s a big building because it’s a big problem"

The Greater Boston Food Bank is a key supplier for the Franklin Food Pantry. The Sunday Boston Globe Magazine has an article on the Food Bank's operation that reads in part:

She’s a trendsetter. The very next shopper, an older woman in a dark red velour jacket, takes a Hubbard, followed a little while later by a middle-aged woman who grabs one, too. After two hours, the doors close. Twenty-seven people have come through the Canton Food Pantry. Three of four Hubbard squash are gone. 

Less than two weeks before, those Hubbards were still on the vine at a nearby farm. Over the course of 10 days, they were picked, sold to the Greater Boston Food Bank, and then distributed to food pantries like this one, and to other hunger-relief agencies in the area. The life of these Hubbard squash, from the field to the tables of the needy, helps tell the story of a bigger journey: the evolution and expansion of the food bank, which has matured into a state-of-the-art food distribution giant that now feeds more than 90,000 people a week. 

The food bank made a splash a few years ago by building a new headquarters alongside Interstate 93 south of downtown. You’ve seen it — the one with 565 accent panels on the facade that, viewed from a certain angle, depict a red ear of wheat. If you’re like me, you’ve driven by and wondered, what goes on in that cavernous place, anyway? The answer is this: a lot more than I thought.

Read more about the Greater Boston Food Bank in the Globe Magazine article here (registration maybe required) http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2012/11/03/how-greater-boston-food-bank-growing-meet-growing-need/8BWiUXroYzxBR5DR02sgEL/story.html

Or go to the Greater Boston Food Bank web page http://gbfb.org/

Fanautical "Fun" Raiser

Fanautical, located at Patriot Place, will be doing a fund raiser 'sail' for the Franklin Food Pantry on Nov 15th





If you can't make it to Patriot Place on Thursday, you can purchase from their online store http://www.befanautical.com/, write 'Franklin Food Pantry' in the comments and still help this effort!


Note: that 10% of the 'sails' is the correct amount the Food Pantry will receive. Other amounts have been reported elsewhere.

A Christmas Carol Times Two!

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Actor Al LePage will become "Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" complete with English accent, clothing of the period and other accoutrements for the dramatic reading part. Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave piano music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain.

This is a special benefit performance sponsored by the Franklin Historical Commission and hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated both by adults and children 7 years of age and older. Tickets go on sale Nov. 15th and their advanced purchase is required by visiting the Franklin Historical Museum located at 80 West Central St. in Franklin Thurs. 5-8PM, Sat. 10AM-1PM and Sun. 1-4PM. Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.

"One of the best gifts I received this year," begins actor Al LePage, "was an email from Franklin, MA. A Mary Olsson called me about doing my Christmas Carol performance in the first town ever named after Benjamin Franklin. And during our follow-up phone conversation, the gift kept getting bigger and better, like unwrapping one box only to find another and yet still another inside that one!"

LePage entertains appreciative audiences with his one-man "solo" of Dickens' Christmas Carol as Victorian-era "Englishman Thomas Hutchinson." His abbreviated performance is not only based upon Dickens own historic public reading version, but are also done just like Dickens did simply by using his voice, facial expressions, gestures and movement to create all 18 characters -- accents and all -- plus sound effects, too! From Scrooge to Tiny Tim, from Marley's Ghost to Mrs. Cratchit, there's howls and growls, bangs and bongs, a dance with a song, lively laughter and heartfelt tears.

Since he's playful, likes to experiment and believes in seizing the moment, even he doesn't always know what's going to happen next. And, before each reading, he's definitely got what could aptly be called “his stories” to tell both in “the year” and the place he's performing to connect, interpret, and share history with the audience. He loves to play to -- and with -- audience members to bring history alive, which will quickly become evident when you first encounter him. He's sure to bring you lively laughter, and hopefully some tears, during his dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol.'

"Gifts, oh yes, gifts," continues LePage. "The first, of course, was the invitation to perform. I gave the second gift and said I'd perform for free with the idea, though, that all the money would go to help keep hunger away from local doorsteps. And it all started coming together with other people giving gifts too! The Franklin Historical Museum would provide the volunteers, the Franklin United Methodist Church would freely host and its very own 'Pastor Dianne' also agreed to play the organ for the event! The Franklin Food Pantry agreed to receive all the money, which in itself, accepting a gift that is, is a sort of gift, too, to the giver, right? This wasn't just another event, this was already becoming a real community event, where everyone involved was being generous with their time, talents and resources."

Hunger close to home is a serious issue both locally and nationally. At any given time, people sometimes have to make choices between food and other critical survival factors such as heat, housing, medical care or transportation. In Massachusetts alone more than a quarter million children, that's almost 1 in every 5 in the state, often face hunger, and almost half are from families that don't qualify for government programs like food stamps or free school lunches simply because they earn too much money. And also according to Map the Meal Gap: Child Food Insecurity, a report issued last year by The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and the national network of food banks, Feeding America, children who don't eat what they need for strong healthy brain development may never recover their lost potential for cognitive growth. The report goes on to say that besides stunting their intellectual capacity, it could also affect learning, social interaction and productivity, diminishing what could have been a child's eventual contributions to society.

"We're still seeing probably a 25% increase this year over last year, and last year was a 25% increase over the year before that, too," says Steve Sherlock, President of the Franklin Food Pantry, "so the demand even for a fairly well to do community, the number of hungry and at risk continues to increase. It's something that's not very well talked about, but the need is something the community fortunately is very able and willing to support. So we want to continue to get the word out, continue to get that support, and this special event will help us do that."

Dianne Carpenter started playing piano at age 6, took up the violin a few years later, and by the time she was a junior in high school landed her first job as a church organist! She pursued her music education degree from Lowell State College, went on to teach music in area schools, but always remained a church organist or choir director as that "teachers second job" to make ends meet. She eventually decided to get even more serious about her life in "music ministry," went back to school to receive a Masters of Sacred Music from Boston University, but continued to teach school. A few years later, though, the economic situation for funding education statewide in Massachusetts took a turn for the worse and teaching jobs were threatened. All this forced her to do some soul-searching, and in the end she decided her journey was now to be the path of pastoral ministry. She sold her house, went back to school yet again, and eventually earned both a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and a PhD in Christian Social Ethics from Boston University Graduate School. She's been a minister in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church for nearly two decades, serving in Natick, Spencer, Belmont, Hamilton and Brewster Massachussetts. She currrently serves as minister of the United Methodist Church in Franklin, MA, and continues to publicly perform both on organ and piano, typically now only playing the violin for her own enjoyment.

"We all have gifts, and God wants us to be generous with those gifts, asking us to share them," begins Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter, pastor at Franklin United Methodist Church. "And this event is an opportunity for the community not only to be entertained, but also become aware of the real meaning of Christmas, God's passion for the entire world as reflected in providing the resources needed by the food pantry so everyone served can celebrate the season, too."

LePage got his start bringing history to life through improvised portrayals of real people from the past and has been seen by thousands during the eight years he appeared at events with the National Park Service, historic sites, museums, and other venues in the Pacific Northwest. He's appeared on the PBS TV History Detectives series as everything from a bartender to Robert E. Lee! He's also written and produced his own one-man historical dramas, and recorded his “short” performance version of Dickens' classic holiday story as a one man radio show, an Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio production that premiered last year on Christmas Eve. LePage has even given “historical performances” on location in Boston where, and once when (same calendar date), Dickens did in 1867! "Performance with passion and purpose" is the mission of his Great Stories Alive! theater company shows. “Englishman Thomas Hutchinson” was first created to share history as an “average guy” but who somehow always seemed to turn up when and where historic events happened! He now lives on as a Victorian-era “Traveling Thespian” giving performances of Dickens' Christmas Carol to benefit charity, having done so since 2006. Last year he even traveled to England to perform the Carol for the very first time. LePage loves to improvise and believes all the world's a stage, and every audience member a potential player, so watch out!

"As an actor, the show itself is my work," says Al LePage, "but as a person my real work is about generosity, not only being generous myself, but also cultivating it in others. And what's great about generosity, about giving of oneself, is that it does good things both for the giver and the receiver, too. Tis better to give than to receive, as the saying goes. So give yourself a special treat this year and know that the ticket you buy isn't really just about a show, it's also about generosity, it's about helping to feed someone, it's about loving your neighbors as yourself."

"I've been talking about the upcoming event for the last three months," says Mary Olsson, Franklin Historical Commission board member, "and everyone is so excited, I know it's going to be a sell-out! Get your tickets fast!"

Photo Credit: David Krapes

Handicap access

The Food Pantry does provide handicap access. While it may not look that way from the front

you can go around the side of the building to the back to use the ramp.

Reminder - Storm Hours

The Food Pantry will follow the lead set by the Town of Franklin during weather emergencies  If Town offices or the schools close for hazardous weather, the Pantry will also be closed.


If you haven't subscribed to the Town alerts, you can do so here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

Fall Winter 2012 Newsletter

The Fall/Winter News letter as published to the neighbors we serve

Annual Craft Fair - collecting for the Food Pantry

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends will be holding their 39th Annual Craft Fair





Donations to the Franklin Food Pantry will be accepted at the entrance to the Craft Fair

Turkey Trot Family Fun Race - Nov 22

If you are a runner, or walker you can help the Franklin Food Pantry.

Registration, course map and additional race information can be found at http://www.feedtheneed.org/

Reminder: Library Book Sale

The Library Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Library is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Oct 20-21. As part of the book sale, they will also be collecting donations for the Food Pantry.

This is one of the win-win situations that the Food Pantry loves to participate in. You get to help the Pantry and the Library at the same time as you obtain good books, videos, etc. for your family to enjoy!

Additional details on the event can be found in the flyer here:



The Friends of Franklin Library are a registered 501(c)3 organization chartered with helping the Franklin Public Library. For additional information about this group you can send an email to FOFL02038@gmail.com or join and participate in the group which meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Library.

Taste of the Region - Oct 23

Sample the variety of delicacies offered from around the region at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Taste of the Region event. This fun-filled food festival features an eclectic mix of restaurants serving a variety of dishes. Enjoy wonderful music and bid on exciting items in a silent auction.

The Taste of the Region is Tues., Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tri-County Regional Vocational High School, 147 Pond St., Franklin.

Tickets are available at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce offices in Attleboro (40 Union St.) and Franklin (4 West St.). Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801 or 508-695-6011 for more information.

Healthy Eating classes!

As part of the Food Pantry's effort to help with healthy food, we are sharing this newsletter from Karen Ring. Karen regularly offers classes on healthy eating. Some of Karen's classes are free and some have an entry fee.

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

Hi Friends!!! Hope you are all well and enjoying the Fall. I have 3 classes planned for October if anyone can make it!! See descriptions below. The attached file is the poster for the Whole Foods Market classes :) Thanks and hope to see you there!!!

Add in and Crowd Out with SUPERFOODS

Wednesday, October 10th 6pm-7pm   
                                  

We all know that we're supposed to be eating more fruits and vegetables, but getting those nutrients and antioxidants into our busy schedules is too often an unmet goal. If this sounds familiar, it's time to discover SUPERFOODS! Join Whole Foods Market Bellingham's Organic Rock Star/Team Member Karen Ring and co-founder of EdibleEvolutions.com as she will open your heart to these nutrient dense, mysterious foods!! Call 508-966-3331 to reserve your spot!

 "Veg Out"

Sunday, October 14th 11:30am-1pm

Veg Out at Team Fitness/Cross Fit Franklin Sunday afternoon for a nutrient packed lecture and demo! You will learn innovative ways to get more fresh raw vegetables into your diet. Healthy Eating Extraordinaire, Karen Ring will teach you fusion cooking methods so you can blend flavors and cooking techniques to create interesting twists on your everyday food choices. Lets have fun with our veggies!

Come see and taste all the Paleo approved recipes:

• Spicy Carrot and Ginger Soup
• Nori Wrapped Bundles of Joy with a dipping sauce
• Coconut Cauliflower Rice with Mango Salsa
• Green Tea "Ice Cream"

COST: $30/person Call Team Fitness Franklin to reserve your spot 508-541-8330 or sign up at the front desk!

Get to Know Your Winter Squash

Wednesday, October 17th 6pm-7pm

Hubbard, Kabocha, Turban, Acorn, Delicata, OH MY! If these words remind you of some old fable or fairy tale, you are not alone! Join Whole Foods Market Bellingham's Team Member Karen Ring for this very informative class on all the different types of winter squashes you should be incorporating into your diet this season. Cooking demonstration and samples will be provided. Call 508-966-3331 to reserve your spot!

  

--
Karen M Ring
CPT / Health Coach / AADP
8 Rona Lane
Franklin, MA 02038
Cell: 508.954.8837

http://www.edibleevolutions.com/

Friends of Franklin Library - Book Sale - Oct 20th

The Library Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Library is scheduled for the weekend of Oct 19-21. As part of the book sale, they will also be collecting donations for the Food Pantry.

This is one of the win-win situations that the Food Pantry loves to participate in. You get to help the Pantry and the Library at the same time as you obtain good books, videos, etc. for your family to enjoy!

Additional details on the event can be found in the flyer here:



The Friends of Franklin Library are a registered 501(c)3 organization chartered with helping the Franklin Public Library. For additional information about this group you can send an email to FOFL02038@gmail.com or join and participate in the group which meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Library.

Harvest Festival

Franklin has a Food Pantry?
Yes, it does. Located in the Rockland Trust parking lot in downtown Franklin (across from the Fire Station).

Members of the Board of Directors will be available to talk about what the Pantry does, who it serves, and how you may be able to help. Board members will be at the Food Pantry during the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sep 30 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

If you have food or non-food donations, we will graciously accept them during this time.

The map of the Harvest Festival showing what vendors, businesses and entertainment options you'll have to visit



Stop by the Food Pantry!

Garden fresh from Tri-County

Tri-County students Emily Scannell of Franklin and Jimmy McCarthy of Walpole proudly presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a donation of freshly picked produce on Tuesday, August 7, courtesy of the school’s very own heirloom vegetable garden.

Scannell, a junior, and McCarthy, a sophomore, delivered freshly picked green, purple, banana, and jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and eggplant to Franklin Food Pantry Manager and Director of Operations, Linda Sottile.

“It’s with the support of organizations like Tri-County and local farmers, who offer us fresh produce, that we are able to offer healthy options to our clients. It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” said Sottile of the donation.

Tuesday’s donation marks the third delivery Tri-County students have made to the Franklin Food Pantry as a result of the bounty of the Tri-County heirloom vegetable garden. “It makes me feel good to know that the produce is going to help people,” noted Jimmy McCarthy, who has helped to water and maintain the garden over the summer in partnership with a group of other students, teachers, and faculty members.

The Tri-County vegetable garden was made possible by a school wide fundraiser organized by members of the Student Council and inspired by a meeting with a representative from National Grid about the benefits of energy conservation. Students raised $2,000 selling Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CLF’s) and advanced powerstrips, which funded the garden set up.

Tri-County Environmental Science Teacher and TC Green Club Advisor Nancy Sibilia and Culinary Arts Instructor and Student Council Advisor Nancy Haney volunteered as the Garden Coordinators. English Teacher Peter Hefele stepped forward to donate the heirloom vegetables for planting, and herbs for planting were donated by Special Education Teacher Jane Baldi and Adult Cosmetology Instructor Barbara Perron.

The garden was planted in earth boxes around the back of the school building in May and June by students in the Facilities Management Career Program, Culinary Arts Career Program, Grade 12 Environmental Science classes, and members of the Student Council and TC Green Club.

During the summer months, Sibilia, Haney, and Lynn Wencus took turns tending and watering the garden daily with Tri-County students Scannell and McCarthy, as well as sophomore Sean Duren, juniors Katherine Cornell, Joseph Galligan of Medway and Jack Greene of Walpole, and senior Bridget McHugh of Medway.

“It’s been great to see the students doing a project like this. They are able to learn from planting and growing the vegetables, and then they see the final result and how those vegetables are going to help to feed people,” explained Nancy Sibilia. “We have many more visits to make to the Food Pantry this summer. Our tomatoes are starting to ripen and we have other types of peppers that are nearly ready as well,” she added.

Tri-County RVTHS was honored with a 2012 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education at the Massachusetts State House in May, which recognizes schools, teachers, and students involved in school-based programs that promote environmental and energy education.

Tri-County received a First Honors Certificate of Excellence for their “Clean Energy Initiatives,” which include the heirloom vegetable garden, the installation of a photovoltaic training structure on school grounds, and the formation of the TC Green Club.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call (508) 528-3115.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street, Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.


This article did appear in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x2118932470/Tri-County-students-aid-the-Franklin-Food-Pantry


Note: The Food Pantry was having problems with our website at that time in August.

D’Amato: The changing face of hunger

Catherine D'Amato is the President and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB). She writes this column succinctly addressing the problem of hunger in MA. The Franklin Food Pantry sources a lot of the food we distribute from the GBFB.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

D’Amato: The changing face of hunger

via Wicked Local Franklin Opinions RSS by Catherine D'Amato/Guest columnist on 9/12/12

Could you survive on $4 a day? For many, that barely covers their morning cup of coffee.  But living on $4 a day is the reality for millions of low income Americans who receive support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal program formerly known as Food Stamps.

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“Lose For Good Open House” to help the Food Pantry

Weight Watchers will be hosting a “Lose For Good Open House” event on Saturday, September 15th, at their location in Franklin. Join us for this very special one-day-only offer, prizes, refreshments, recipes and more! The Open House will host a “Lose For Good” food drive to benefit The Franklin Food Pantry. So remember to bring a non-perishable item to donate. If you have ever wanted to find out more about Weight Watchers there has never been a better time to come in.

Saturday, September 15th from 7am to 3pm

Franklin Weight Watchers

Horace Mann Plaza, 255 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Food Pantry is looking for a Director of Development

Updated 10/7/12 - We have selected a fine candidate and will be notifying all the other candidates that have applied. Thank you for your interest!

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

Do you know someone that has a talent for building relationships with local business and community groups for a non-profit?

Do you know someone looking for part-time work in a non-profit environment doing good by helping the Franklin community?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then please send them this info so they can follow through with the Franklin Food Pantry!






How to Apply
To apply for this position, send a cover letter and resume highlighting your qualifications to FFP.Hiring@franklinfoodpantry.org

2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive

The Franklin Ford dealership is looking to help the Franklin Food Pantry as well as Feeding America with a program they are calling "2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive".

For every test drive of a new 2013 Ford Escape on Saturday, Sep 8th from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, Franklin Ford will make a contribution to Feeding America that will provide 40 meals. Donations to the Franklin Food Pantry will be accepted at Franklin Ford.

2013 Ford Escape Hunger Drive

A test drive will

• gain a donation from Ford to provide 40 meals
• get an entry to win a 2013 Ford Escape

When you go for a test drive, you can drop off a donation for the Franklin Food Pantry!

Update on website

Our domain name issue has been resolved. We are back in service!

You can find us at franklinfoodpantry.org!

If you happen to forget and try franklinfoodpantry.com or franklinfoodpantry.net, no problem, you'll still get here!

Thanks for your patience during this time. We have been continuing to serve our clients during this time. Good food and fresh produce has been provided through the efforts of our volunteers coordinated by our Operations Director, Linda Sottile!


Updated 9/2/12 Noon - email to any of the "@FranklinFoodPantry.org" email addresses were not delivered for approx. a 24 hour period over Sep 1 and ending noontime Sep 2. If you did send something to one of these email addresses, you can resend it now and it will be delivered. Hopefully, given that it was Labor Day weekend, it was very quiet and did not affect too many folks.

The faces of food stamps

Who uses food stamps? Some of your neighbors here in Franklin. Their stories are probably similar to these.

The Food Pantry provides a layer of support to your neighbors. You can help us help them with a donation of food or non-food items, your time or a financial contribution.


Originally posted here and found here

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

via 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa on 7/31/12

If you're in a rut here are some snack ideas for inspiration. Please leave any additional suggestions in the comments below…

Fruits and Vegetables… Apple (good with peanut butter) Banana (good with peanut butter) Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip) Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. "Ants on a Log") Mango Pear . . . → Read More: 85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)! is a post from: 100 Days of Real Food

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Thank you - Liberty Mutual Volunteers

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks the volunteers from Liberty Mutual who helped on June 21st. This group came from Liberty Mutual offices throughout Massachusetts.

There were Liberty Mutual volunteers from the Franklin Office that helped out on June 4th and June 11th.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks volunteers like these for helping to serve our neighbors. If you would like to help, you can use the sign up form here. If you have a group that could help, you can call the Food Pantry to arrange for a day and time.

Rockland Trust generosity helps the Food Pantry

For the third year Rockland Trust has donated the use of its building located at 43 West Central Street in Franklin, Mass. to the Franklin Food Pantry. The two-story building, located adjacent to Rockland Trust’s Main Street branch serves as a valuable resource to the Franklin community and provides between 2,600 and 3,200 pounds of food to area citizens each week.

Accepting the $43,200 donation check, Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Food Pantry stated, “This generous donation from Rockland Trust ensures that we can continue to serve the people of the Franklin area. Local residents need our help now more than ever. The space offers plenty of storage space for food and allows us to provide private meeting space for support services.”

“At Rockland Trust, we believe in strengthening the communities in which we work and live,” stated Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch. “Rockland Trust is proud to support the Franklin Food Pantry and its efforts to help individuals and families in need.”

About Rockland Trust
Rockland Trust Company is a full-service community bank headquartered in Massachusetts, with approximately $5 billion in assets. Rockland Trust provides a wide range of consumer, business, investment, and insurance products and services. Rockland Trust’s network consists of 67 retail branches, nine commercial lending centers, three Investment Management Group offices, and four residential lending centers located throughout Eastern Massachusetts, and one commercial lending center and investment management office in Rhode Island. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank “Where Each Relationship Matters®,” please visit www.RocklandTrust.com.

Photo: Ann-Marie Corriveau, Rockland Trust Universal Representative; Linda Sottile, Pantry Manager of the Franklin Food Pantry; and Laurel Katsaros, Vice President and manager of the Rockland Trust Main Street branch stand in front of the Franklin Food Pantry.

Now hiring: Director of Development

Updated 10/7/12 - We have selected a fine candidate and will be notifying all the other candidates that have applied. Thank you for your interest!

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

The Franklin Food Pantry is seeking a Director of Development. This is a part time position (approx. 20 hours) reporting to Board of Directors and interacting closely with the Director of Operations. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for building community relationships, fostering corporate partnerships, achieving fund raising goals, and strengthening the image and role of the Food Pantry.

Responsibilities

The Director of Development plays a key role in the success of the Food Pantry’s ability to maintain a high level of service for the expanding needs in our community. The Director will work with the Board, staff, and volunteers to establish corporate and organizational affiliations, implement budgetary planning and fund development goals, meet fund raising objectives, plan and execute public relations and media strategies.

The Director is expected to be flexible with the approx. 20 hours of work anticipated each week. The times will vary depending upon the fund development and relationship building opportunities.

The Director is expected to develop an understanding of the daily Food Pantry operations and to assist as needed.


Skills/Capabilities

● At least 5 years of experience in non-profit program management with at least 3 of those years in a director level role
● Significant experience in nonprofit fund development and relationship development
● Ability to represent Franklin Food Pantry in the community
● Strong client service orientation
● Creative approach to problem solving and idea generation
● Highly organized with attention to detail; administratively self-sufficient
● Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
● Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent experience required, master’s degree in a related field preferred
● Experience with database systems and Microsoft Office

How to Apply
To apply for this position, send a cover letter and resume highlighting your qualifications to FFP.Hiring@franklinfoodpantry.org

June = MA Dairy Month

Governor Patrick visits the Hornstra Dairy Farm to proclaim June as MA Dairy Month.



The Food Pantry is fortunate to be able to provide fresh dairy products from Garelick Farms to our neighbors. Thank you Garelick Farms!

Current needs - June 2012

The current needs for the Food Pantry can be found in this listing:




Health & Beauty – Shampoo, Soap, Deodorant, Razors, etc.
Paper Products – Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Feminine, etc.
Cleaning Products – All Purpose Cleaners, Laundry, Dish, etc.
Condiments – Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Salad Dressing, etc.
Canned Meat / Fish / Tuna
Coffee / Tea
Flavored Rice / Pasta Side Dishes
Spices / Seasonings / Marinades
Fresh and Frozen Produce Always Welcome

Volunteer Opportunities

Heavy Lifting/Driving Volunteers Needed

The Franklin Food Pantry is looking for a few volunteers for some very heavy lifting/van driving tasks.  One of the regular opportunities is twice a month we drive our van down to Taunton to pick up our Greater Boston Food Bank orders.  These orders can range between 2,000-3,000 pounds and have to be manually loaded from the dock into the back of the van, case by case.  We have to be in Taunton on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 12:30 and the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:30.  We usually leave Franklin about 1 hour before the scheduled pickup time to arrive  in Taunton a little early.  We do usually have volunteers back at the Pantry to help unload the van.  We do have a van that we use, but if you have, or know someone who has, a truck with a lift for the dock so they can drive the forklift straight in that is much easier.  We are looking for someone who is willing to commit to either one of the pickups or both on a regular basis.  Some other opportunities that we are looking for volunteers for would be on a less consistent basis.  Sometimes we get calls from local businesses with donations that we need to go pick up that day.  One of these businesses is Garelick Farms.  They will email us in the morning to let us know that they have product available and we would need to get there that day.  Fresh dairy products are not easily obtained at the Franklin Food Pantry, so when we are offered milk, yogurt, cream, etc., it is greatly appreciated by our Clients.  We use our van to pick up the items, and usually each crate weighs up to 40 pounds so it is heavy lifting into the van and then unloading at the Pantry and stocking the refrigerators with the product. 

Thank you for considering the Franklin Food Pantry for your volunteering opportunities.  These opportunities are normally performed Tuesday-Friday between 9:00am-1:00pm.  We ask that no one under the age of 18 respond as there will often be Clients in the Pantry and we don't have student volunteers when the Clients are here.  Also we ask that you be prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement as a volunteer and also have a safe driving record and a valid driving license as we may have to included you as a driver on our van's insurance policy.

Again, there is a lot of heavy lifting, stairs, etc. involved with this opportunity and if you know of anyone or a company that may be willing to help out, especially if they have a small truck that the forklift can load directly onto at the Greater Boston Food Bank, then please forward them this request or have them contact me directly.

Farmer's Market Volunteers Needed

The Franklin Food Pantry has received a grant that offers any SNAP (food stamp) recipient to double their money at the Franklin Farmer's Market every Friday from June 8, 2012 through November 2, 2012.  We are looking to fill slots from 11:30am-6:00pm every Friday at the Franklin Town Common.  The volunteers would help the clients process their transaction on the handheld EBT terminal (easy training), and also we will provide other documentation if anyone is looking for information on the Food Pantry, SNAP, WIC, etc.  There are times when it is very slow and I will try to have 2 volunteers at all times so there is someone to talk to and if someone needs to leave for a moment there is someone else there at the table.  The table will be next to Grateful Farms and one of our Board members will be at their table so any questions or concerns can be handled immediately by a Franklin Food Pantry Board member.  Also the volunteers may have to stop at the Pantry prior to arriving at the common to pick up the tables, chairs, canopy, documentation, vouchers, terminal, cooler with waters, etc., and and then help set up and later break down the table, chairs and canopy.  The volunteers would have to be adults, we ask that no one under the age of 18 be at the table at any time and they will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.  This is a very private situation for a lot of families and confidentiality is very important.  Also it is very important for the volunteers to know that the market opens rain or shine, hot or cold weather, and should always plan accordingly.  Volunteers should be willing to work 1-2 Fridays per month for a minimum of 3-6 hours.

Thank you again. 

Regards,

Linda Sottile
Franklin Food Pantry
(508) 528-3115
www.franklinfoodpantry.org