Franklin Food Bank and Hunger Action Month

Derek Smith, the executive director of the Franklin Food Bank, joined us in the studio. Derek stopped by to discuss, among other things, their community distribution on the first Wednesday of every month.

Derek discussed The Franklin Food Bank’s Community Distribution this Wednesday, September 4^th at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens. The church is located at 771 Somerset Street, Somerset, NJ 08873 starting at 11 am.

Then their Nutrition class is this Friday, September 6^th at the Franklin Food Bank, 224 Churchill Avenue starting at 11 am. Everyone gets to share a bite and go home with a bag bursting with fresh produce.

September is also Hunger Action Month and Franklin Food Bank is more than a food bank. We all know that food insecurity is a social determinant of overall health, the canary in the coal mine, and the indicator of more issues affecting under-resourced communities waiting right around the corner.

Health issues. Financial issues. Homelessness. Nutrition insecurity. Food deserts. When you are a trusted resource in the community like the food bank, families come and ask you about services beyond food. While the Franklin Food Bank staff are not doctors or nurses, they can build a bridge to health services.

They may not be experts in SNAP navigation, but they can find someone who is. This is a way they’re providing those additional services to families in our space and building trust along the way to hopefully one day offer other requested services in response to a community in need.

Related: Join Joel Katz and Support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

All of these services and things that the Franklin Food Bank does cost a lot of money. The Franklin Food Bank spends 93% of its expenses on programs and just 7% on fundraising. That means with 7% they have to raise the rest of the funds needed. There are so many things you can do to support The Franklin Food Bank this fall.

The Feed Franklin Festival is a benefit concert happening THIS Saturday, September 7th on The Consiglio Farm. Tickets are still available to see Prince Bowie and Spare Tire Band and spend a great day with great music while helping to fight hunger in Central Jersey.

You can become an Ambassador. If everyone became a monthly Ambassador for just $10 per month the Franklin Food Bank would be able to implement so many planned programs right now without doing their fundraising first. Their Ambassadors assure that the rent will be paid and the lights will stay on so that our staff can do what we do best, offer amazing services to their neighbors.

Check out the conversation with Derek here:

Go to FranklinFoodBank.org to learn more!

The back-to-school shopping season is upon us, and teachers everywhere are digging into their own pockets to stock up on classroom essentials. According to the National Education Association, educators shell out an average of $500 to $750 annually on supplies their students need.

Many teachers say their districts don’t always provide everything needed to keep students engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn. A survey by the U.S. Department of Education reveals that 94 percent of teachers are spending their own money on classroom necessities. It’s not just teachers either. Support staff like bus drivers, front office personnel, classroom aides, and custodians are also using their own wages to buy supplies.

These purchases cover everything from paper, pencils, markers, and glue, to online learning program subscriptions, lab equipment, snacks for hungry kids, tissues, cleaning supplies, and even hand soap for the bathrooms.

Last year, CNN reported that most school supplies have jumped in price, sending the cost of writing tools and supplies such as crayons, pens, and pencils up nearly 19% year-over-year.

Jamesha Gilliam, a public high school English teacher in Marion County, Florida, keeps a locker in her class filled with pens, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, and other stationery materials.

“I use my own money to keep it filled up during the year,” said Gilliam. But she was hit with sticker shock when she went to buy a bulk supply of unsharpened pencils. “I would get a 50-pack box for $10, and this year it’s closer to $25,” she shared with the outlet.

Parents have been noticing this as well with some sharing how the cost of back-to-school supplies has gotten out of hand.

TikTok user @cramer.crew, known as Christy, recently shared her annual back-to-school haul for two kids. Her list included the usual suspects like dry-erase markers, folders, notebooks, glue sticks, tissues, and paper towels. Most items were store brands, particularly Target's, which another local mom found to be the cheapest. Christy skipped big-ticket items like electronics and didn’t include backpacks or lunchboxes, which she bought separately. Despite reusing some items like her older child’s backpack and calculator, her total still came to $170.23.

“Absolutely insane. Insane!” she exclaimed.

Another parent, @addi_archers_mommy, known as Harlee, shared her frustration: “I just spent about $100 on my first grader’s school supplies,” she said. “And they wouldn’t even let me buy anything fun.”

She showed her haul, noting the specific name brands required. Although Harlee didn’t always stick to those brands, a teacher friend explained that these requests often come from experience, as investing in quality can save money long-term.

No one seems to blame teachers for the costs. In fact, Christy, in the comments of her video, expressed appreciation for teachers, telling one commenter, “Crazy how teachers are expected to provide it all.”

As the back-to-school season kicks off, some retailers are stepping up to ease the financial burden on teachers by offering discounts and special deals on classroom supplies. They’re rolling out special deals and discounts to help educators fill their classrooms without emptying their wallets. Ready to see which stores are making it easier for teachers to snag those must-have supplies? Take a look at the list below and find out who’s offering a helping hand this school year.

New members can get a $20 or $40 Costco Shop Card, an exclusive offer for teachers. Teachers also receive a 10% discount at most Dollar Tree locations by showing a valid school ID. At Michael’s, teachers save 15% on every purchase. Office Depot offers a 10% discount on in-store purchases for teachers. Staples provides a 20% discount on in-store purchases with an app coupon and teacher ID. Additionally, teachers can enjoy 20% off storewide at Target through Target Circle, available until Saturday, August 24.

Both teachers and students can access Adobe Pro, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign, for just $19.99 per month during the first year, and $34.99 per month thereafter. Additionally, teachers and their families can enjoy a 25% discount on AT&T wireless plans, starting at $27 per month for four lines. Instructors can save up to $25 per month on Verizon's Unlimited wireless plans. Canva offers free access to creating lesson plans, posters, and infographics through this link. Teachers get six months of Babbel lessons for $36, a 60 percent discount. Teachers also receive discounts on Google Workspace for Education, which includes Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet, and more, as well as discounts on Chromebooks. Office 365 Education and Microsoft Teams are available for free, along with a 10% discount on Windows devices. The Apple Store for Education offers discounted items for K-12 teachers, including select Macbooks and iPad.

Books will always be essential for both students and teachers, and there are discounts available for educators looking to expand their collections. Teachers can enjoy up to 25% off on books, toys, and games by joining Barnes & Noble Educators. The Scholastic Teacher Store offers great items for 25% off and up to 50% off with other sales and deals. Scholastic also hosts book fairs and warehouse sales where teachers can purchase items at marked-down prices. Additionally, local bookstores often offer similar discounts for teachers, so it's worth checking out nearby options to find the best deals.