Have You Heard of the Franklin Food Pantry?

Have You Heard of the Franklin Food Pantry?

I have lived in Franklin, MA since 1983 and only became aware of the Franklin Food Pantry just two years ago when I saw an article about a phone-a-thon to benefit the pantry.  I really didn't know just how great the need for assistance could be in our mid-sized, middle-class Boston suburb.

As a monthly volunteer, I now know that the pantry serves approximately 600 households with 1590 household members made up of 35% children.  I have also learned that many folks who need the pantry only need it for occasional food assistance such as those who have seasonal work such as landscapers, construction workers--as a supplement to get them through a few winter months of little or no work.  Other folks use the pantry when they have been laid off and their benefits have run out--they are often job hunting but just need some temporary assistance.

The Franklin Food Pantry records show a distribution of 186,000 lbs. of food last year which was an increase of 35,000 lbs. from the prior year.

So how does all this happen you may ask?

The food pantry has 45 volunteers, only 2 paid positions which are both part-time and a 6 member Board of Directors.  The pantry is run like a business and donations are provided through grant monies, donations from Panera Bread, BJs Wholesale Club, Trader Joe's, Shaws and Stop & Shop Supermarkets as well as many private donors.

If you can offer some time or a few bags of groceries to help your community it would be most appreciated.  The Franklin Food Pantry is located beside Rockland Trust bank across from the Fire Station at 43 West Central Street.