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Franklin Food Pantry Volunteer and Board of Director Rachel Flum (L) with Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director Tina Powderly (R) at the annual volunteer luncheon on April 30.
The Franklin Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food assistance and essential service programs, held a volunteer luncheon to recognize and celebrate pantry volunteers who collectively gave more than 10,000 hours in 2023 to help end food insecurity. Held on April 24, 2024, the event took place during National Volunteer Appreciation Month and included special guests Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, and Franklin Town Board Members Cobi Frongillo and Mel Hamblen. New England Chapel of Franklin donated space for the luncheon, East Central Starbucks and Twist Bakery donated refreshments and food, and Shaw’s Supermarkets and The Chateau provided items at a discounted cost.
The celebration included presentation of the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award to 28volunteers whose service positively impacts the Franklin Community and inspires others to act.
The Gold Award, for 500+ volunteer hours in a calendar year, was presented to Amber Baur and Community Garden volunteers. The Silver Award, for 250 to 499 volunteer hours, was presented to Diane Daddario, Suzanne Gendreau, Joseph O’Koren, Kym Pruitt, and Maureen Sabolinski. The Bronze Award, for 100 to 174 volunteer hours, was presented to Dominic Agostino, David Bascom, Chris Bond, Colleen Bond, Teresa Burr, Vicki Coates, Erika Cummings, David Custer, Mary Anne Dean, Kim DeCrescenzo, Robert Doyle, Angela Draper, Rachel Flum, Karen Guiliano, Richard Guiliano, Pat Llewellyn, Carol Malachowski, Donna O’Neill, Scott Pond, Nancy Schoen, and Roberta Trahan.
“Frankin Food Pantry volunteers are extraordinary individuals who have dedicated their time, effort, and compassion to serve our community,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director Franklin Food Pantry. “Their commitment alleviates hunger and plants the seeds ofempowerment, dignity, and resilience within our community.”
Each week, more than 100 individuals volunteer at The Pantry, which strives to make the volunteer experience both welcoming and rewarding. The Pantry recently conducted a volunteer survey with 99 percent of respondents stating they enjoyed working with other volunteers, felt appreciated, found staff helpful, and are very satisfied with their volunteer experience. In 2022 and 2023, The Pantry was voted as Best Place to Volunteer by Myfm 101.3’s Quest for the Best contest.
For more information, or to submit a volunteer application, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.
The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referral programs to more than 1,300 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include In-person Shopping, Curbside Pick-up, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, HolidayMeal Kits, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.
Photos by:
Lynn Ann Falvey and David Marshak, Stony Brook Camera Club
Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (R) presents David Bascom (L) with the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award at the Franklin Food Pantry’s annual volunteer lunch.
Police Therapy Dog Benjamin Franklin is hopeful for some of Officer Amanda Ayer’s lunch at the Franklin Food Pantry’s annual volunteer lunch.
Pantry volunteers Erika Cummings (L) and Maureen Sabolinski (R), both awarded the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award, spend time together at the Franklin Food Pantry’s annual volunteer lunch.
