Impressive Totals of '12 Days of Donating' Drive

Food Elves Inspire “Fresh” Approach to Food Drive

Community Response Overwhelming

FRANKLIN, MA – When more than 130 Franklin Food Elves set out to collect gifts from their neighbors for the Franklin Food Pantry for the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign, their load was lighter than the year before. But that’s what they hoped for.

The Elves encouraged more monetary donations this year so the Pantry could purchase fresh food for clients. The community rallied behind the Food Elves’ appeal and donated $13,273 and 3,696 pounds of food. Last year’s total yield from the Food Elves’ drive from residents was $1,943 and 8,001 pounds of food.

“This was an extraordinary effort by the Food Elves,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “And our community responded with such generosity. The monetary donations will allow us to purchase nutrient-rich food to supplement the canned and boxed food donations that were collected. The high cost of fresh food is often a barrier to wholesome nutrition for the families we serve.”

With monetary donations, the Pantry can purchase fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meats. As a Greater Boston Food Bank partner, the Pantry purchases items at a fraction of what it costs in the grocery store, therefore making donation dollars stretch even further.

In addition to neighborhood collections, the elves placed red food donation bins at the following local businesses: Chestnut Dental Associates, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma's Quilt Cupboard, Feet In Motion School of Dance, Franklin Agway, Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, Franklin Mill Store, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, and Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits.  As part of their commitment to the Food Elves, the business partners have also pledged to donate $200 each to the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group comprised of more than 130 dedicated elementary, middle and high school students. This was the eleventh year of the neighborhood drive, and the sixth year the elves partnered with local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. The food and cash will help sustain the pantry’s 504 client families through the winter.

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Erin Lynch, left, Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director, and Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf, greeted more than 130 Franklin Food Elves as they dropped off donations collected in the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign this month. Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira.

Lead Food Elves Ellie Teixeira (left) and Julia Buccella distributed red bins to 11 Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses participating in the Franklin Food Elves "12 Days of Donating" drive. Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira.

Download the Franklin Food Pantry's press release here.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser Tickets On Sale

The following is a press release produced by the Franklin Food Pantry:

Empty Bowls Dinner Promotes Hunger Awareness

Tickets on Sale Now at Franklin Food Pantry

FRANKLIN, Ma. – The Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club have joined forces to co-host the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on Wednesday, April 27 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Franklin High School cafeteria. The event, which includes a simple meal of soup and bread, is meant to remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

Attendees will choose a hand-painted, ceramic bowl to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” A silent auction will feature select pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club, and local youth, adult and corporate groups. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and will be used to fight hunger locally.

Local teenagers paint bowls to be used in the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner at Franklin High School on April 27. Pictured, left to right, are Katie Aiken and Julia Buccella of Franklin; and Sophia Oliveras of Woonsocket, RI.

“The Empty Bowls Dinner will bring together members of our community who are working together to fight hunger,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “We hope it will be a powerful reminder of the many people who struggle to put enough food on the table. We are thrilled to partner with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club to address the vital issue of hunger. We look forward to attracting all ages at this family-friendly event.”

Students in the Empty Bowls Club have been making ceramic bowls throughout the year to be used at the dinner. “Our students are excited to be part of such a meaningful effort,” said Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and instructor for the Empty Bowls Club. “It is rewarding for them to use their creativity to contribute to such a worthy cause. The true impact of their hard work will be felt on the night of our big event.”

These ceramic bowls, made by students in the Empty Bowls Club at Franklin High School, will be given to guests at the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on April 27 at Franklin High School. The fundraiser and hunger awareness event is co-sponsored by the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry. Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased at the Franklin Food Pantry.

This bowl will be included in the Silent Auction at the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner at Franklin High School on April 25.

Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased at the Franklin Food Pantry. Seating is limited so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. Payment must be made in cash or checks payable to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Pantry will hold “Box Office Hours” to sell tickets at its 43 W. Central Street location (on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station) during the following times:  

March 31, 5-7 pm

April 4, 11 am – 1 pm

April 5, 4 – 6 pm

April 7, 5 – 7 pm

April 11, 11 am – 1 pm

April 12, 4 – 6 pm

April 14, 5 – 7 pm

April 19, 4 – 6 pm

April 21, 5 – 7 pm

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. The ceramic bowls are created throughout the year by the Empty Bowls Club and various corporate and community groups organized by the Pantry through its Empty Bowls Project. For more information on the dinner, or to arrange for your group to hold an Empty Bowls Project, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.

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About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club

Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hungry people in our local communities. The first part of this project is to make ceramic bowls with students, faculty, district K-12 art teachers, and the Franklin community. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and The Franklin Food Pantry will co-host a community meal of soup and bread. All funds raised at this event will be donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) has made the Empty Bowls Club and community meal possible through their 2015-2016 grant program.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities once a month to eligible households. Bread and fresh produce is available daily for clients. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Cooking Matters classes, a Healthy Futures Market, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station.

'12 Days of Donating' Totals Press Release

Franklin Food Elves Bring in Record Donations – Again!

FRANKLIN, MA – The Franklin Food Elves did it again! The final donation numbers are in, and the Elves are pleased to announce that the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than four tons (or 8,001 pounds) of goods, and more than $11,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira

These numbers beat last year’s record totals by more than 1,500 pounds of food, and nearly $3,000. The success was due to the hard work of more than 120 Food Elves, along with tremendous support from the community and local businesses. The Food Elves, increasing by 35 elves this year, has grown every year in popularity among local elementary, middle and high school students.

As the Food Elves canvassed local neighborhoods for food and monetary donations, Franklin businesses did their part by placing donation bins at their locations and pledging cash donations to support the cause. Those businesses included Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists, Medical Spa and The Adirondack Club.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we received this year from the Franklin Food Elves, member businesses of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, and our community,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanks to the hard work of the Food Elves, we will be able to continue helping our families who are struggling to put food on their tables.”

For the first time, the Food Elves gave residents the option of making monetary donations in addition to, or in lieu of, food. Monetary gifts allow the Pantry to supplement food donations with more nutritious and fresh food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats.

“The response was incredible,” said Lynch. “Not only did we break all records in the amount of food we received, we are able to supplement the nonperishable donations with fresh, protein-rich and nutritious foods. We could not be more grateful.”

For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, or a list of its current needs, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

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Click here to download this press release.

'12 Days of Donating' Runs Through Saturday

Have you dropped of your donation to the Franklin Food Elves "12 Days of Donating" campaign yet?  If your answer is yes, thank you very much! If not, there's still time to make a difference. The "12 Days of Donating" drive runs through Saturday, December 12. 

All non-perishable goods and monetary donations stay in Franklin to directly benefit 600 Franklin families who use Food Pantry services. 

Be sure to donate to your neighborhood Food Elves or drop off contributions at one of these 11 participating businesses:

• Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• 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.
• The Adirondack Club, 800 Chestnut St.

You can also visit the Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, and designate the Food Elves when donating.

Donation drop off at the Food Pantry warehouse on Dec. 6.

10 Businesses Participate in '12 Days of Donating'

Ten Businesses Participate in ’12 Days of Donating’ Campaign

The Franklin Food Elves kick off the “12 Days of Donating” campaign on Tuesday, December 1, to benefit the Food Pantry, and Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses are doing their part to help collect goods and monetary donations.  

The Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 90 students from Franklin schools. This year 10 local businesses are participating in the 12 Days drive. Each business has a red collection bin on site and will donate $200 if the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:

• Chestnut Dental Associates, 38 Pond St.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• 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.
• The Adirondack Club, 800 Chestnut St.

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.

Click here to download this press release.

Food Elves Launch '12 Days of Donating' Press Release

Food Elves ’12 Days of Donating’ Begins December 1

Group Marks 10 Years of Giving to Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will launch the “12 Days of Donating” campaign to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry on December 1. This year’s collection drive marks 10 years that the Food Elves have helped neighbors in need during the holiday season.

The Food Elves were created in 2006 when Melissa and Cameron Piana began collecting donations in a wagon in their neighborhood. Last year more than 90 school-aged elves and 14 local businesses raised more than three tons (7,020 pounds) of goods and $8,500 for the Food Pantry. This year the Pantry acquired additional warehouse space to accommodate the expected donations.

“We are looking forward to building on the success the Food Elves have had, and this year we hope to raise more money. The Food Pantry can buy a lot with those funds, and we hope to surpass last year’s dollar totals,” says Ellie Teixeira, lead Food Elf.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group comprised of nearly 100 dedicated elementary, middle and high school students. This will be the fifth year the elves have partnered with local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Each year the 12 Days campaign brings in food and cash to help sustain the pantry’s 600 client families through the winter.

In December the Food Elves will notify their neighbors about collection dates, instructions and items needed. The elves make it easy to donate; residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated dates, and the elves pick up and deliver the goods to the Pantry. If residents prefer to make a monetary donation, Food Elves captains will also give instructions on how funds will be handled in their neighborhood.

“The Pantry has some lean months after the holidays, when end-of-year giving subsides and food drives happen less frequently,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry.

“We count on the Food Elves to bring in the donations that help carry us through the winter months, a time when families who are struggling to put food on their tables face even harder times because of higher energy costs. We are so grateful for the hard work of the Food Elves and the gifts they bring to us,” she adds.

According to Lynch, while nonperishable food donations are still needed and appreciated, she is hoping that more people make monetary donations. “It gives us greater flexibility to provide for our clients. We can purchase food from the Greater Boston Food Bank at a fraction of what it costs in the grocery store. We are able to supplement food donations with more nutritious and fresh food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats.”

In case there’s no Food Elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. Participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses all across town will have red collection bins at their locations. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business has pledged to donate at least $200 to the 12 Days of Donating drive. A list of businesses hosting red bins will be posted on the Food Elves Facebook page and the FDP website and Facebook page.

A red collection bin will also be set up at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 3, at 4 p.m. Event goers can drop off donations there, or at the Food Pantry, 43 W. Central St. Please designate donations made at the Pantry as Food Elves.

The Food Pantry’s greatest needs currently are coffee, canned fruit, jelly in plastic bottles, aluminum foil and shampoo. To make an online donation in honor of the Food Elves, visit the Pantry’s website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org. Please mention Food Elves in the donation form’s acknowledgement box. For more information call 508-528-3115.

Any student interested in becoming a Food Elf should contact Ellie Teixeira at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com.

To learn more 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. Information can also be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org and on the FDP’s Facebook page.

Click here to download this press release.

Calling All Food Elves and Business Participants

GET READY for the "12 Days of Donating" campaign!

The Franklin Food Elves and the Downtown Partnership will once again launch the “12 Days of Donating” food drive to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry at the annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 3, at the 4 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony.

The Food Elves are looking for businesses to place red donation bins at their location. If you would like to pledge $200 to the pantry and collect food donations please let the Partnership and Food Elves know by Thursday, November 19.  

The Food Elves will drop off bins and pick up all donations for the pantry. You just need to write a check for $200 made out to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Elves will do the rest.

 

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 Food Pantry. The campaign will run from December 1 through December 12.  If the Food Elves r

each their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses will each pledge $200.

 

Last year 90 elves, together with Partnership businesses, collected more than 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 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/.

Member Announcements: Turkey Trot, Help Wanted at Alumni, New Hope Gourmet Guys Fundraiser

Food Pantry Turkey Trot Press Release

The entire Kilburn family of Franklin was among the almost 400 individuals who participated in last year’s Turkey Trot. They will be trotting again this year in support of the Franklin Food Pantry. Pictured, left to right, are Molly, Chris, Maddy, Bridget, Tom, Nate, and family friend Niamh O’Sullivan of Cumberland, RI.

Turkey Trot in Franklin on Thanksgiving to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry

FRANKLIN, Ma. – It’s a worthwhile price to pay when you register for the annual Turkey Trot Family 5K Fun Run and Walk to be held Thanksgiving morning. The registration fee of $20, or 20 nonperishable food items, will go directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help those in need during this holiday season. 

Sponsored by Feed the Need, the event begins and ends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church) at 91 Jordan Road in Franklin. The race, open to runners and walkers of all ages, is a great opportunity for the entire family to get out and exercise together before their traditional Thanksgiving feast. And, there’s the added benefit of helping to relieve hunger in the community.

“We are inspired by the great turnout for the Franklin race,” said Erin Lynch, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanksgiving is a time for everyone to truly appreciate what they have, but also an occasion to think of others who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Turkey Trot rallies our community to give back and help protect others from the threat of hunger. We are grateful to Feed the Need for spearheading the race and raising awareness about our own need in Franklin.”

The November 26 race will begin at 8 a.m. To participate in the Turkey Trot, you can pre-register online at www.feedtheneed.org; or sign up the day of the race from 7 – 8 a.m., or 7 – 9 p.m. the night before, at the LDS Church. The first 100 race participants to register Wednesday night will receive race t-shirts. For those interested in making food donations instead of the $20 registration fee, the Pantry is in most need of tuna, canned fruit, and health and hygiene products such as deodorant.

For more information, call 508-520-9864.

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Help Wanted

Alumni Restaurant is looking for a part-time motivated individual for a dishwasher position, nights and weekends. Must be clean and an organized hard worker. Responsibilities include cleaning dishes, glassware, utensils and other cooking equipment using dishwasher and by hand, maintaining the kitchen in an orderly and sanitary condition and other related cleaning maintenance duties. The right candidate will be a positive team player with a flexible schedule. Opportunity for growth is available. Interested? Contact Andrea Savioli, Restaurant Manager/Function Coordinator, 508-528-8804.

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New Hope Inc.'s Gourmet Guys Fundraiser

New Hope, Inc. invites you to their Gourmet Guys fundraiser on Friday, November 20! New Hope's website, www.new-hope.org, has ticket information.

Franklin Food Pantry Donations Reach New Heights

Great work, Franklin! Impressive news from the Franklin Food Pantry:

Franklin Letter Carriers’ Food Drive a Record-breaking Success

Postal workers deliver 4.5 tons of food to the Franklin Food Pantry

FRANKLIN, Ma –The Franklin letter carriers collected more than 9,229 pounds of food from area residents and delivered it to the Franklin Food Pantry on May 9 in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The amount is more than double last year’s record of 4,585 pounds of food that was donated by residents and picked up by postal workers during normal mail rounds. 

Franklin letter carriers delivered more than 4 and a half tons of food collected from community members to the Franklin Food Pantry on May 9 in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The record 9,229 pounds of food was more than double last year’s tally of 4,585 pounds.

Stamp Out Hunger 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 almost 73 million pounds of food last year. 

“We were completely overwhelmed by the amount of food and household necessities we received this year,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “The generosity of this community and the outpouring of support are truly heartwarming. We are so thankful for the hard work of the postal carriers, the kindness of our neighbors, and the help of so many volunteers on that day. Many people in our community were engaged in making this effort such a success.”  

Part of the success of this year’s drive was due to yellow Stamp Out Hunger bags that were placed in residents’ mailboxes as a reminder to put out their food donations. The postal workers were thrilled to see the impact that resulted – double the amount of donations over last year.  

Postmaster Mike Catalano and wife Lauren came out to the event to show support and lend a hand in unloading the trucks. “We are really honored to be a part of such a worthwhile cause,” said Catalano. “I was so proud to see our trucks arrive overflowing with food donations. The letter carriers gladly worked twice as hard this year to help families in need in Franklin. What a great community to be a part of.” Catalano said that Franklin letter carrier and Stamp Out Hunger coordinator Rich Maloney was instrumental in organizing such a successful drive this year. 

Franklin letter carrier Rich Maloney organized this year’s record-breaking Stamp Out Hunger food drive, part of a nationwide effort organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry executive director, and Mike Catalano, Franklin Postmaster, lend a hand in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive for the Franklin Food Pantry.

During Saturday’s food drive, the fleet of mail trucks was greeted by dozens of Pantry volunteers who unloaded the trucks, weighed the bags, sorted items and stacked them on shelves. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive helps replenish the Pantry’s inventory that has been depleted of its donations received during its busiest time of the year, the November/December holiday season. 

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For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry go to www.franklinfoodpantry.org or find them on Facebook and Twitter.