5K Family Fun Run helps feed local families who count on the Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry invites you to join hundreds of your fellow neighbors to run the annual Franklin Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run this Thanksgiving morning. The registration fee of $20, or 20 nonperishable goods, goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need. After October 19, the fee will increase to $25. This event helps many more families give thanks for the funds from the race provides for the holidays and throughout the year.
Franklin Food Pantry Board Member Suzanne Gendreau (center), joined by daughter Meri and Andrea Dentremont, participated in last year’s Franklin Turkey Trot to help raise money to provide food for local families in need. Photo courtesy of Gloria Meredith Photography
The November 28 race begins at 8:00 am 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, attracts experienced runners as well as families who want to exercise together before their traditional holiday get-together. A professional race organizer officially records timing, pace and rankings for each runner.
“Thanksgiving is truly a time to be grateful for the many blessings we have,” said Lynn Calling, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “But it is also an occasion to think of others who are struggling to put food on their tables. The Franklin Turkey Trot rallies our community to give back and help protect others from the threat of hunger. The nearly 1,000 individuals we serve are grateful to our community for coming out to support us.”
Photo courtesy of Gloria Meredith Photography
Participants can register online at franklinturkeytrot.org; at the LDS Church from 7-9 p.m. the Wednesday before the race; or the morning of the race starting at 6:30 a.m. Official race t-shirts will be given to the first 150 participants or can be purchased online for $10 for those who register by Oct. 31.
There are also several opportunities for local businesses to sponsor the race. Funds received from sponsorships are used to purchase t-shirts for the first 150 registered race participants, awards, and other costs associated with the event. Any additional money from sponsorships will go directly to support the Franklin Food Pantry. Interested sponsors should contact Kim Cooper at kcooper@franklinfoodpantry.org.
“The Franklin Food Pantry prefers the registration fee of $20 because it allows the Pantry to “stretch our budget for leaner times,” said Calling. “Our capacity to store donated goods is extremely limited this time of year.” If participants prefer to donate goods, Calling recommends checking the list of current needs on the Pantry’s website at franklinfoodpantry.org
Calling appreciates the hard work of Race Director Krystal Whitmore who volunteers her time and energy to coordinate this traditional event. “We are fortunate to have an incredibly hard-working group of volunteers, led by Krystal, who make this event possible,” said Calling. “Krystal organizes church members, high school students, and her own family members to volunteer. The amount of work involved is amazing. We could not do this without them.”
For more information, contact Kim Cooper at 508.528.3115 or email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.
Ready, set, go! More than 1,000 participants of all ages came out last year on Thanksgiving morning to support the Franklin Food Pantry in the annual Franklin Turkey Trot and 5K Family Fun Run. Registration is now open for this year’s event on November 28. Photo courtesy of Gloria Meredith Photography
