Author: Laura Often

In this season of giving, we often see the reverse advent calendar meme being shared on social media. The idea is that on each day of December a person would donate an item to give to a local food pantry and then on December 24, the food is delivered. While we appreciate the spirit behind the idea, we wanted to take the opportunity to share the best way that you can help The Franklin Food Pantry this holiday season and throughout the year!

The Franklin Food Pantry gives thanks to our community for helping us fulfil 220 Thanksgiving baskets for our neighbors. Our neighbors received a turkey, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, coffee, choice of an Apple or Pumpkin Pie, and a Yankee Candle votive to help make their meal festive.

During this season of Thanksgiving, hunger and food insecurity receive a lot of attention. Thanksgiving is, typically, a time when families and friends gather around a table and a bounty of food!  Unfortunately, that bounty of food is not a reality for everyone and this year many more people are facing a more difficult holiday season. Feeding America has just shared the most recent statistics  reminding us that there is still a lot of work for us to do to continue to decrease food insecurity in the Commonwealth.   

The Capital Campaign Committee, led by Franklin Food Pantry Board member, Suzanne Gendreau, consists of local leaders and Pantry staff and will work to raise funds to renovate 138 East Central Street into a vibrant functioning Food Pantry. In April of 2020, The Pantry purchased the building to better serve its neighbors. In addition, The Pantry has hired Franklin-based Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group as its project manager and Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect to design the plans of the new Pantry.