“12 Days of Donating” goes over the top

The Franklin Food Elves are pleased to announce that the final donation numbers are in and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than three tons (or 6,400 pounds) of goods and $8,500 for the Franklin Food Pantry.

(L-R) Food Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch at the Franklin Food Pantry in December 2014.

More than 90 Food Elves collected from over 30 Franklin neighborhoods, the most volunteers in the history of the Franklin Food Elves. They worked in conjunction with local businesses that set up collection bins at their locations around town.

“We’d like to thank all of residents of Franklin who donated to our campaign this year. We also would like to thank the elves who worked hard to bring the donations in, and the businesses that helped fill the donation bins at their locations,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

The Franklin Food Elves was co-founded by Melissa and Cameron Piana 9 years ago and has grown each year.  Since the beginning the organization has brought in a total of 10 tons (20,380 pounds) of food donations and over $25,700 for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Local businesses were deeply involved in this year’s campaign. DCU gave a check for $5,000, and 15 other businesses pledged a $200 cash donation and donated time and bin space to the cause.

Those businesses included Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, Berry Insurance, British Beer Company, Dean Bank, Dean College, Drama Kids of Metro West, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Printsmart Office Products, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, RE/MAX Executive Realty, and Yellin & Hyman, P.C. 

For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/01/decembers-12-days-of-donating-totals.html

'12 Days of Donating' - preliminary results

The Franklin Food Elves and the Franklin Downtown Partnership are pleased to announce that the preliminary numbers are in and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than three tons (or 6,000 pounds) of goods and $8,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry.

(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Co-Founder Cameron Piana, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch

More than 90 Food Elves collected from their Franklin neighbors, the most volunteers in the history of the Franklin Food Elves. They worked in conjunction with local businesses that set up collection bins at their locations around town.

Some of the donations dropped off at the Food Pantry

“We’d like to thank all of residents of Franklin who donated to our campaign this year. We also would like to thank the elves that worked hard to bring the donations in, and the businesses that helped fill the donation bins at their locations. We are excited to see the totals because we still have more donations coming in,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

Student volunteers weigh donations

Local businesses were deeply involved in this year’s campaign. DCU gave a check for $5,000, and 15 other businesses pledged a $200 cash donation and donated time and bin space to the cause.

Those businesses included Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, Berry Insurance, British Beer Company, Dean Bank, Dean College, Drama Kids of Metro West, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Printsmart Office Products, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, RE/MAX Executive Realty, and Yellin & Hyman, P.C.


For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.


This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/12/12-days-of-donating-preliminary-totals.html

Franklin Food Elves Drop-Off Day Photos

The Franklin Food Pantry was a busy place Saturday morning with Franklin Food Elves bringing in the donated goods they collected. A few industrious elves improvised a slide system to make the drop-offs easier, while a few more elves helped to weigh, sort and store the donations.

Final totals will be announced later this week as more donations continue to pour in.

(L to R) Elf Ellie Teixeira, Head Elf Cameron Piana and Executive Director Erin Lynch

The improvised slide helped make the job easier

 

Executive Director Erin Lynch

This was re-shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/12/food-elves-drop-off-day-photos.html

Franklin Downtown Partnership and Food Elves "12 Days of Donating"

              

Food Elves '12 Days of Donating' Kicked off December 1

The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the "12 Days of Donating" campaign benefitting the Franklin Food Pantry. From December 1 to December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 85 hard-working middle school and high school students. For the past three years they have partnered with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry's most successful collection drives. Last year the "12 Days of Donating" campaign brought in more than $6,700 and 7,300 pounds of goods.

In December the Food Elves will notify residents about the collection drive in their neighborhood, including information about what items are needed and the collection dates. Residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated pickup dates and the Food Elves will do the rest.

In case there's no elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. The group has placed bright red collection bins at participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business listed below has pledged to donate $200.

Bins can be found at these participating  business locations:

• Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
• British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
• Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
• Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

2014 Food Elves (L-R): Project 351 Ambassador Rebekah Redwine, YCIC's Dan Robert, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch, Head Elf Cameron Piana, Lead Elf Haley Frank

Also donating to the campaign are Berry Insurance and Printsmart Office Solutions.

Look for a donation bin at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 4, or drop off donations at the Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central St., and designate them for the "12 Days of Donating" drive.

Food Elves ‘12 Days of Donating’ Kicks off December 1

The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Franklin Food Pantry. From December 1 to December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 75 hard-working middle school and high school students. For the past three years they have partnered with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Last year the “12 Days of Donating” campaign brought in more than $6,700 and 7,300 pounds of goods.

2014 Food Elves (L-R): Project 351 Ambassador Rebekah Redwine, YCIC's Dan Robert, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch, Head Elf Cameron Piana, Lead Elf Haley Frank

“People have been incredibly generous year after year donating to the Food Elves campaign. What we bring in helps 600 Franklin families that rely on the Food Pantry’s services. We are grateful that our community keeps exceeding our expectations,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

In December the Food Elves will notify residents about the collection drive in their neighborhood, including information about what items are needed and the collection dates. Residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated pickup dates and the Food Elves will do the rest.

In case there’s no elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. The group has placed bright red collection bins at participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business listed below has pledged to donate $200.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:

• Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
• British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
• Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

Also donating to the Food Elves campaign are Berry Insurance and Printsmart Office Solutions.

Look for a donation bin at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 4, or drop off donations at the Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central St., and designate them for the “12 Days of Donating” drive.

This year the Food Elves also are collaborating with the Youth Community Involvement Club at Franklin High School and Project 351 at Horace Mann Middle School. Project 351 is a state-wide community service project and Food Elf volunteer Rebekah Redwine is this year’s Franklin ambassador.

“With a cold winter on the way, family budgets are stretched and more people need the Food Pantry’s services,” says Haley Frank, a lead Food Elf. “We are proud that this great group of students working with local businesses can make a huge, positive impact for Franklin.”

Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director, concurs; she cites a recent Lowell Sun story that states National Grid rates on November 1 increased 37 percent over last winter.

“Families who are already struggling will be hit once again when electric rates skyrocket,” says Lynch. “What these students accomplish is vital. The spirit of the Food Elves has captured the hearts of this community. We are so grateful for the amazing support that keeps multiplying through the hard work of these young leaders.”

This year the Food Pantry’s needs include health and hygiene products and non-perishable food items. For more information check the Food Pantry’s website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/, or call 508-528-3115.

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292


This was re-shared from http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/11/food-elves-press-release_21.html#sthash.iZdwx75g.dpuf

Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Food Elves -"12 Days of Donating"

Franklin Food Elves Launch '12 Days of Donating' Campaign

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the "12 Days of Donating" food drive to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry at the annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 4, at the 4 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

The charitable community service group's goal each year 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 red bins at local business locations where people can drop off non-perishable food items.

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.

Over the past 4 years the organization has surpassed their original 1,200 pound goal and last year 75 elves together with Partnership businesses, collected more than 3 three tons of food donations to support the Franklin Food Pantry.  The organization hopes to increase business participation this year again.

If you are interested in participating in the Food Elves' campaign as a business or as a volunteer please contact the Partnership at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com  

Volunteers can contact the Food Elves directly at Franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com  

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry and what items are needed, please go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/.

Last week to buy raffle tickets for community mural

Do you remember this from July?

This mural, created by the Franklin community at last year's Harvest Festival, has been donated to the Franklin Food Pantry. It is being exhibited at different locations around town this summer, and right now, it's at Pour Richard's! 

Stop in to view the mural, and while you're here, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket. The winning ticket will be drawn at this fall's Harvest Festival, and the winner can decide to take the mural home or donate it to an appropriate public space: Town Hall, a school, the library, etc. 

Many thanks to Jane Curran of Jane's Frames for initiating this great project!

The mural has moved, been framed and is at Jane's Frames until the drawing is held about 3:30 PM on the triangle during the Harvest Festival, Sunday Oct 5th.

"River Runs Through"

You can visit Jane's Frames to purchase a raffle ticket (or two). Tickets are $5 each.

More about the community painting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/12/a-river-runs-through.html

and here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2013/12/community-mural-project-at-janes-frames.html

Franklin Food Elves Bring In Record Donations

The Franklin Food Elves’ 2013 “12 Days of Donating” campaign exceeded goals on all fronts, collecting more than 3 tons of goods and $6,700 to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry well into the new year.

The 75 Food Elves, together with Franklin Downtown Partnership businesses, collected 7,357 pounds of non-perishable goods and $6,700 in the food drive last December. That is a significant increase over 2012 when 50 Elves collected just over 4,200 pounds of goods and $5,700.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

“Thanks to the Food Elves’ hard work and commitment, the donations have helped fill our shelves, allowing us to continue serving local families,” says Linda Sottile, director of operations for the Franklin Food Pantry. “It is amazing how this effort has grown thanks to Melissa and Cameron Piana and the many, many elves who have joined in over the years. It is heartwarming to see so many youth of Franklin getting involved.”

“According to the 2013 Status Report on Hunger in Massachusetts recently released by Project Bread, there are 700,000 households in our state for whom having enough to eat is a struggle,” says Erin Lynch, director of development for the Food Pantry. “This impacts us locally, yet many still don’t realize the magnitude of the issue.

“The ‘12 Days of Donating’ generates community awareness that will have a significant positive impact long after the holidays are over,” Lynch continues. “We are so grateful to the Food Elves for their record-breaking success and for rallying such tremendous support. To each and every person who contributed we thank you on behalf of more than 600 families we serve.”

Food Elves co-founder Cameron Piana is proud of the hard work of the Elves, who went door to door in neighborhoods to collect food and other necessities. “Students like to get involved in community service projects that are fun but also have a big impact,” says Piana. “This group has definitely made an impact and we are really happy that we beat our goal by more than a ton this year.”

Local businesses were deeply involved in the campaign. DCU donated $3,000 and once again Berry Insurance donated $1,000. Eight local FDP member businesses placed a donation bin at their location and each pledged $200 if the Elves hit their goal. Those businesses were DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Downtown Partnership, Jane’s Frames, Murphy Business and Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits.

Support snowballed to include companies and organizations outside of Franklin who donated goods and dollars upon hearing about the campaign.

“It’s gratifying to see the community response to this effort,” says Nicole Fortier, Downtown Partnership president. “We want to thank everyone involved for going above and beyond and supporting this campaign.”

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves campaign please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry please call (508) 528-3115 or go to their website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

Pictured left to right, front row: Nicole Fortier, Dean Bank and Downtown Partnership; Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry; Linda Sottile, Franklin Food Pantry; Beth MacBrian, DCU.  Second row:  Kevin Goffe, Dean Bank; Ann Williams, Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits; Cameron Piana, Food Elves Co-founder; Haley Frank, Food Elves Captain; Dave Drucker, Dean College; Jane Curran, Jane's Frames.  Third row:  Cam Strouse, Emily Shea, Karen Cunningham, Evan Strouse, Carter Castillo. 

Seven of the 75 Food Elves, left to right:  Karen Cunningham, Emily Shea, Haley Frank, Evan Strouse, Cameron Piana, Carter Castillo and Cam Strouse.

Franklin Food Elves Campaign Update

The Franklin Food Elves "12 Days of Donating" will be ending this week.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Thank you to everyone who participated.  The Food Elves collected a Record 6,750 pounds of donations this year so far.  This is 2,550 pounds more than last year!

The Food Elves are hoping to add another 100 pounds to the total by the end of this week....so please stop by one of the participating businesses by Thursday if you still have donations.  

Red Bins can be found at: 

Dean Bank, Dean College, DCU, Downtown Partnership, Emma's Quilts, Jane's Frames, Murphy Business and Pour Richards.  

You can also mail or drop off check donations to the Food Pantry directly.

Have a very Merry Holiday Season!

The Franklin Downtown Partnership

The Franklin Food Elves

Harvest Festival - 2013

The Festival got off to a decent start and then the downpour came and pretty much washed the remainder of the event away. Oh well, there will be another event next year!

Franklin Food Pantry entrance - seasonal display

Thanks to New England Chapel for brightening up the entrance to the Food Pantry with a seasonal display. (The photo was taken on Saturday before the Harvest Festival - too bad that weather couldn't hang around longer!)

new Food Pantry truck to show off!

The tent was set up and the truck moved to a prominent position. We still had folks come up to ask where we were located. Yes, we operate from the building right here in the Rockland Trust parking lot. We are planning for new signs to show are new log and help improve the appearance.

part of the Franklin Food Pantry Team is ready!

From left to right: Laura Mandia (Communications Committee), Mark Lavelee (Board of Directors), Erin Lynch (Development Director), Jim Roche (Treasurer), and Lisa Buccella (Volunteer Coordinator)

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.

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/. 

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