Executive Director Derek Smith Talks Local Concert to Benefit Franklin Food Bank
Derek Smith, Executive director at the Franklin Food Bank, joined us in the studio to discuss their upcoming events. These events include the food banks’ community distribution on the first Wednesday of every month, and their upcoming benefit concert. Derek shared the vibe, “It’s just a ton of fun, you’re outside in the open, enjoying the fresh air (and) incredible food.”
Check out all the information and the entire interview here…
While we all know the effects of rising food costs, supply shortages, and high gas prices, the impact in our area is particularly sharp. The fact is that a household in Somerset County needs to bring home at least $118,000 in order to cover basic, minimum expenses.
That means more working people are finding it hard to make ends meet. Those who were already dealing with food insecurity such as single parents, the unemployed, the elderly, and disabled people, are dealing with even greater uncertainty. Now, more than ever, it’s important to know about this important community outreach.
The Franklin Food Bank has served Franklin Township since 1975, and they’re serving more than ever from within the township and beyond. They offer community food distribution on the first Wednesday of each month at the Franklin Township Community Relations Bureau, no questions asked. If anyone needs more support, they’re welcome to shop at the organization’s market-style distribution at the food bank on Churchill Avenue in Somerset.
Consider the fact that many who benefit from the Franklin Food Bank are neighbors who are just like you. Neighbors who may have fallen on some hard times and need a little help to get back on track.
If you can, please consider a donation to the Franklin Food Bank to help them carry out their work. If you need help, please call the Franklin Food Bank to make sure you and your family are safe and nourished.
For more information about Feed Franklin Fest, or Golf Fore Groceries, or to get help or give help, franklinfoodbank.org or 732-246-0009.
9 Unspoken Rules for Public Restroom Etiquette
Skip the complicated stuff
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Feel free to touch up your makeup or give your teeth a quick brush. But skip the complex routines like flossing, clipping your nails, or shaving. Keep phone calls at bay, and save emails and browsing for later. Remember, public bathrooms are riskier for hygiene. According to Health, a health and lifestyle website, illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and colds can be found on surfaces. So, minimize your time there for safety’s sake.
No touchy, touchy
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If you spot someone you know, a nod is perfectly okay. No need to shake hands! In fact, CNN reported that only 5% of people who used the bathroom washed their hands long enough to kill the germs that can cause infections. It’s risky to assume otherwise. No one needs to guess where your hands were. Wet handshakes are bad, worse if it’s mystery liquid.
Stall chats and gossip
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Avoid engaging in conversations between stalls or near urinals. This holds particularly true within the office environment, where you can’t be certain if a colleague or supervisor is in the adjacent stall, potentially overhearing any complaints or gossip you share. A Redditor shared their frustration on the discussion board saying that talking in stalls should only be for, “Can you pass me some toilet paper? This ones out” or “Crap. Do you have a tampon?”
Hold off on phone conversations
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Staying connected is great, thanks to our trusty smartphones always being by our side. But let’s not take them to the bathroom. Besides the germs, it can get awkward. The person on your call hears bathroom noises and flushes. The nearby stall occupant gets only half the conversation, making the shared bathroom uncomfortable.
Welcoming yourself in without knocking
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You’re eyeing a solo bathroom, uncertain if it’s taken. Start with a knock on the door. No response? Next, put your hand on the doorknob and carefully turn it to one side. Did it open? If not, odds are someone’s inside, so hold on. No need to shake the handle like you’ve never met a doorknob. That’s a surefire method to give the person inside a shock. And just in case the person in the restroom forgot to lock the door, at least all your bases are covered.
Don't flush with your feet
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There are some people who think they’re maintaining hygiene by flushing toilets with their feet. In reality, this is one of the least hygienic actions. Shoes aren’t clean, particularly after navigating a public restroom, exposing them to unclean surfaces. This transfers germs where others touch. If you’re concerned about germs, consider using a piece of toilet paper to operate the flush handle.
"Be a sweetie and wipe the seatie"
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Tidy up after use. This rule covers all areas of the restroom. After you’re done, take a look at the seat and floor, and clean as needed. To put it simply, be considerate and give your seat a wipe. This also pertains to the sink. While soap is clean, leaving a large blob under the dispenser isn’t polite behavior.
Stall hogger
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According to Geisinger, a health organization, studies indicate the average time spent in the restroom is about 12 seconds. Occasionally, it might take longer, but it’s generally recommended not to exceed 10 minutes. So, if you find yourself scrolling through Instagram and Facebook during your bathroom time, you may want to reconsider. Keep in mind that others may be waiting their turn, and lingering around the restroom door isn’t the most comfortable scenario. On the other hand, if the restroom is occupied, it’s courteous to step away and return later. It’s unnecessary to wait outside the door, which could potentially be embarrassing for the occupant. However, if waiting is not feasible, forming a line is an acceptable option.
Don't peak through the stall gaps
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Making stall doors with a gap has benefits. If the door went all the way down, people couldn’t see if someone needed help. The gap helps in emergencies and lets responders assist without breaking in. Also, the gap can stop actions like sex or drug use, in stalls. But don’t make things weird by staring at people through them. That’s just uncomfortable.
