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