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According to a recent article in Commonwealth journal, ‘nearly 20 percent of Massachusetts households struggle to access food — a number that has more than doubled during the pandemic.’ The article goes on to to cite a survey of some 500 “food-insecure” people which revealed that proximity (to food resources) and choice were key factors in alleviating the problem. Those striving to help, need to bring food directly to those who need it, and give them “the freedom and agency to select food they will actually eat,” the article advised.
The concerns and advice dovetail with the practices and policies at the Franklin Food Pantry, according to Executive Director Tina Powderly. Furthermore, they help explain the organization decision (reported in September) to jettison the property acquired in 2019 on West Central Street.
And it was those “mission” issues that were the driver of the decision, not any other factors involving the property. For instance, Powderly said the “restricted use” on a corner of the property, relating to prior automotive uses at the property, had been investigated thoroughly. And, she noted, Middlesex Bank, which provided the mortgage to purchase the site, also conducted their own review. “It wasn’t clear whether it [the traces of pollution] dated back to Dante Motors or the site’s more recent use as an auto parts store but whatever was there had largely dissipated,” she said
Powderly explained the Food Pantry’s decision was predicated on a significant change in operations that necessitated a different type of site than was originally envisioned and vetted pre-Covid. Specifically, Powderly explained, the need for social distancing during Covid led to adoption of “curbside pickup” for most of those in need. But this turned out to be fortuitous because many of those in need also had mobility issues of one kind or another and they found curbside to be extremely helpful. For some, it was a deciding factor in actually getting help from the Food Pantry, she said.
Indeed, when Covid forced the organization to physically close its doors to recipients he Food Pantry rapidly switched to a twice a week curbside pickup while offering a choice of three proteins, fresh produce (often from Franklin’s own community gardens), a bag of “shelf stable goods” and a special bag of food aimed at the needs of children, according to the web site.
The revamped focus and the new ways of serving needed to be part of the future of the Food Pantry, Powderly explained, and the East Central Street site, which had looked good originally, now seemed limiting due to the limited ways of bringing vehicles safely and expeditiously through the site.
Meanwhile, the need has continued to grow. According to the 2020 annual report, compared to 2019, the Pantry served 18% more households, with a 36% increase in number of children served.
But notwithstanding those additional challenges, Powderly said the Pantry has continued to strengthen financially and is in good condition to move forward, with 91 percent of donations going directly to support those in need.
According to the Food Pantry’s 2020 filing of IRS form 990, the organization received contributions and grants of $774,365 in 2019 and $927,530 in 2020 with total revenues for the two years of $806,921 and $1,005,740 respectively, while salaries remained nearly flat.
At the moment, Powderly noted, it is “absolutely our busiest time of year with two large events in the planning – Turkey Trot and Food Elves – as well as our two large holiday distributions.”
Of course, volunteers and donors are always welcome. More information can be found at the Food Pantry website. www.franklinfoodpantry.org
Powderly also corrected a spelling mistake in prior reporting, for which we are grateful. The West Central Street property was purchased from Christine Bracci, not Christine Bracco.
