Community Comes Together to Remember “Somewhere, Someone’s Bowl is Empty”
FRANKLIN, Mass. (May 29, 2024) – The Franklin Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food assistance and programs, is pleased to partner with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club for the 9th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to bring awareness to food insecurity and hunger in the community. The event took place on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Franklin High School and included a simple supper of soup and bread. More than 250 members of the community attended, and each received a handcrafted ceramic bowl made by a club member as a reminder that somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty. More than $17,500 was raised from this year’s event which will help The Pantry purchase food and personal care items, offer programs and services, and support daily operations.
Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and crafts people in cities and towns around the world to feed people experiencing hunger. Since 2016, the Empty Bowls Club fundraisers have raised nearly $95,000 for The Pantry. Franklin High School teacher Brenna Johnson advises the club and encourages students to utilize their talents to help make a positive impact in their community.
Sponsors of the event included: J.M. Aldrich, Allegra Print and Marketing, Franklin Cultural Council, America’s Best Defense, Elizabeth’s Bagels, Fenton Financial Group, Mount Street Farm, QRGA Certified Public Accountants, Advanced European Repair, All Around Gymnastics Academy, The Baur Family, Chestnut Dental, Eagle Stainless Tube and Fabrication, Feet in Motion School of Dance, Franklin Matters, Grove Street Auto Repair, Knights of Columbus Franklin Council #1847, and Next9Up. Food and beverages for the event were provided by Big Y Supermarket, BJ’s Wholesale Club, 3 Restaurant, Franklin Food Services, and Whole Foods Market. Silent auction items included ceramic pieces from club members, a rendition of the Massachusetts State House by State Representative Jeffrey Roy, and impressive items from Fiori & Fern, Learning Express, and the New England Patriots Foundation.
“The Empty Bowls Club’s dedication and commitment to bringing awareness to food insecurity is truly inspiring,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry. “Demand for supplemental food assistance and our services is up 41 percent vs. last year, and the students and school staff are a shining example of what our community can do when we come together.”
Photos of the event, courtesy of Linda Rondeau Photography, are available for use HERE. For more information about supporting the Franklin Food Pantry, or to attend an upcoming event, please visit the Franklin Food Pantry website at www.franklinfoodpantry.org.
About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.
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, Holiday Meal 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.
Media Contact:
Catherine Troutman
Communications Manager
508-528-3115
ctroutman@franklinfoodpantry.org