Franklin Food Bank: Community Distribution Event This Week [Development Director Allie O’Brien In-Studio]
Photo: J.Katz
Once again, we had the opportunity to speak with Allie O’Brien about all the things the Franklin Food Bank does for Central Jersey including their upcoming community distribution event. Allie is the Development Director at the Franklin Food Bank in Somerset.
While we all know (and feel) the effects of rising food costs and supply shortages, the impact in our area is particularly sharp. Consider this sobering statistic: a household in Somerset County needs to bring home at least $118,000 to cover basic, minimum expenses. That’s just the basics and it’s still a tight fit. Additionally, inflation is at a 40-year high.
Allie shared that Community Distribution is one of the three programs of the Franklin Food Bank. In this program, anyone can receive food (generally fresh produce, non-perishables, and beverages) during the hours of the program. It is set up to be a drive-through system where the volunteers and staff pack your trunk with food, however, walk-ups are also welcome. The Franklin Food Bank serves anyone and everyone, with no questions, no means of testing, and no identification required. The next community distribution takes place on this Wednesday and the first Wednesday of every month. Check out Allie’s interview here…
Successful Campaign
In November, which is historically a very busy month, they served over 1,000 families. That’s more than they saw in November of 2020, when they served about 930 families. There’s no question that food banks across the state are seeing MORE people. Families are on an extreme budget right now, the cost of groceries continues to outpace inflation and with government protections falling away left and right (student loans, extra SNAP, and WIC), it’s no wonder people are having a tough time affording basic necessities right now and turning to food banks.
Additionally, over the past two years, the Franklin Food Bank has done a great job of focusing on creating awareness. This has led to more people in Central Jersey signing up for their services.
Important Time of Year
Nonprofits typically make about 20% of their annual revenue in the last six weeks of the year. This is where a lot of funding comes from that helps the food bank’s programming thrive throughout the year. Allie shared, “It’s been very very slow. When money is tight, the market is down, cost of living is up and the world is plunged into chaos, people don’t really have the inclination to support charities. It’s not on their radar or it’s not in their budget, or both.”
Ambassador Program
If you can, please support their appeal on our website FranklinFoodBank.org with any amount you can give. Also consider our Ambassador Program. It’s their sustaining giving program. They have 150 Ambassadors right now. Six to twelve percent of their monthly revenue comes from these generous donors, many of whom give just $10 or $25 per month. If each household in Franklin Township gave the food bank just $10 a month they would be able to help everyone in need.
Photo: J.Katz
Consider the fact that many who benefit from the Franklin Food Bank are neighbors who are just like you. who may have fallen on some hard times and need a little help to get back on track.
The Franklin Food Bank is located at 224 Churchill Avenue Somerset, NJ 08873, and appointments can be made at 732-246-0009.
Franklin Food Bank: Get help or give help at franklinfoodbank.org
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