On Saturday, May 10, Franklin letter carriers will help the Franklin Food Pantry Stamp Out Hunger when the carriers pick up food donations from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that provides food to local food banks and pantries that would otherwise be faced with depleted stocks during the summer months. The food drive is the nation’s largest single-day drive, collecting 74.4 million pounds of food last year and 1.3 billion since its inception 22 years ago.
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| Stamp Out Hunger - May 10 |
“Stamp Out Hunger is an opportunity for the Franklin letter carriers to help people in need who live in our own backyard,” says Rich Maloney, Franklin member of NALC. “It is a truly moving experience when you see our fleet of mail trucks arrive at the Food Pantry with bags of food donations from the community. Last year we collected and delivered four thousand pounds of food that helped feed area families in need. With the help of our community, we hope to collect even more food this year.”
The Franklin Food Pantry is experiencing an increased need for its services which mirrors trends seen nationally and throughout Massachusetts. “We have seen a 43 percent increase in families returning weekly for bread and produce during the last year,” says Erin Lynch, director of development for the Franklin Food Pantry. “With more than 600 local households unable to afford three meals a day, the number of pounds of provisions we distributed increased by 30 percent.”
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive comes at an ideal time for the Pantry. “We receive tremendous support from the community during the November/December holiday season,” says Lynch. “But donations slow down after the first of the year, and by springtime, our inventory becomes very low. We do not have enough food to help the hundreds of families who are counting on us for supplemental food assistance. Thanks to the Franklin letter carriers, and the generosity of town residents, this food drive allows us to replenish our inventory in preparation for the summer season.”
Franklin residents can help out with the food drive by leaving a bag of non-perishable food where their letter carrier normally delivers their mail on Saturday, May 10. Letter carriers will then pick up the bags during their normal mail rounds and will deliver the food to the Franklin Food Pantry. Residents can also drop off their donations at the Pantry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 10, or during the Pantry’s regular business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140.
While all non-perishable food donations are welcome, items that are currently most needed at the Pantry include:
- Canned tomato products
- Canned fruit
- Canned ravioli
- Tuna (white in water)
- Cereal
- Olive and/or canola oil
- Dry spices and herbs (parsley, garlic powder, basil, cinnamon, etc.)
- Vinegar
- Gluten free products
The Pantry is also in need of the following non-food items:
- Deodorant
- Dish Soap
- All-purpose cleaners
- Baby diapers/wipes
For more information on the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit www.helpstampouthunger.com.
Established in 1987, the mission of the Franklin Food Pantry is to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions, by empowering the community through resources, education and collaboration. It is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network and depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners and the community at large.
The Franklin Food Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140 and can accept donations during business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Non-perishables may also be dropped off after hours in the bin by the front door, or monetary donations may be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038. For more information, visit franklinfoodpantry.org, like the Pantry’s Facebook page, or call 508-528-3115. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FEIN # 04-3272663.
