Hunger Action Month: How The Franklin Food Pantry is Taking Action

It’s a difficult truth to face: 1 in 3 of our neighbors in Eastern Massachusetts have experienced hunger. This statistic is a call to action and Hunger Action Month gives us a chance to shine a brighter light on food insecurity. This month, the Franklin Food Pantry (The Pantry) is taking action by expanding services and providing reliable access to food for more of our neighbors.

We know that transportation is a major barrier to accessing food, which is why we’re adding a fourth Mobile Pantry. This new program will bring food and personal care items directly to people in our community who may have difficulty getting to The Pantry.

Additionally, we are expanding our Curbside Distribution program to new clients in Franklin’s four contiguous towns: Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk, and Wrentham.

At a time when federal funding for food assistance programs like SNAP is being cut, we’re fortunate to work with our town leaders and policymakers who are also calling attention to food insecurity. The Franklin Town Council has invited us to speak at an upcoming meeting and will issue a proclamation making September Hunger Action Month in Franklin. We’re also working with Franklin Public Schools to offer Weekend Backpacks which provide weekend meals for children, and with the Franklin Senior Center to increase food access to veterans and seniors.

Our partnership with GBFB allows us to distribute nourishing food at no cost, with our team providing the equivalent of nearly 350,000 meals supplied by GBFB last year. We’re fortunate to have the resources, volunteers, and support to expand our services— and there is an opportunity for everyone in the community to help! Individuals and families can get involved by making a financial contribution or food donation, organizing a food drive, starting a fundraiser, and learning about food insecurity.

While September is a special month to take action against hunger, the reality is that food insecurity is an ongoing challenge for many families. The Franklin Food Pantry is available year-round to ensure that no one in our community faces hunger alone.

This blog post is a Guest Post written by Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry