Franklin Food Pantry Adds Two New Board Members

The Franklin Food Pantry announced two new members to its Board of Directors. Community Members Rachel Flum and Judith Perez have joined the FFP Board to further its mission to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions to neighbors within the Franklin area. Additionally, Board members will guide The Pantry’s evolution of programing and services as it plans its relocation to 341 W Central St. Franklin, MA. Board member Chris Kilburn will now serve as Chairperson. Former Interim Chair, Jim Roche will continue to serve as Treasurer, and Suzanne Gendreau will continue her role as Clerk.

“Both Rachel and Judith bring valuable skillsets to our board. Rachel has deep experience advocating for policy change to improve the economic well-being of low and modest-income people. Judi’s experience in fitness and wellness and her deep ties to some of the most vulnerable in our community are critical in guiding us as we look to better serve our neighbors,” said Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director Tina Powderly. “Chris Kilburn joined our board last year and provides strong leadership and operational planning. He brings the same skills to FFP that he did to his many leadership roles at Fidelity Investments: program management, team building, and keen business and mission focus. We are lucky to have Chris’ time and dedication as we move forward with our location change and advancement programs. I’d also like to express our sincere thanks to Jim Roche who served double duty as Interim Chair and Treasurer before the Board appointed Chris.”

Rachel Flum is the former Executive Director of the Economic Progress Institute in Rhode Island where she conducted several legislative campaigns, including paid family leave, SNAP, revenue-raising, and childcare assistance, while working closely with EPI’s Board and leading its staff. In this role, she was also responsible for the strategic direction and fund development activities of the organization. Rachel received the Forty Under Forty Award in 2015. Rachel is a graduate of Wellesley College and Georgetown University Law School and has lived in Franklin for 18 years. She served on the Board of Directors of Sunrise Montessori School in Franklin and on the Vestry for Trinity Episcopal Church in Wrentham.

Judith Perez is a member of the Franklin Freedom Team, a group of community leaders whose mission is to preserve freedom through unity in the community. She brings years of wellness experience to the pantry, most recently running exercise and fitness programs for community members and The Sunshine Club at the Franklin Senior Center. For the past ten years, she has offered integrated fitness and enrichment programs for Kennedy Donovan Center, Behavior Concepts, Inc. Riverside, Hockomock Area YMCA, Garelick Early Learning Center, Bellingham High School, Atria/Enclave, Magnolia Heights, and Senior Centers in Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, and Millis. Judith received her Associate of Science in Sports Fitness and Exercise Science from Dean College, her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dean College, and her Certification in Early Childhood Education from Dean College. She has lived in Franklin for 17 years with her daughter and before moving to Franklin, owned a catering business in New York City.

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs. Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.