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Joel Katz

Franklin Food Bank Planning Amazing 2025

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Author Joel Katz
Franlkin Food Bank Executive Director Derek Smith, Senior Development Manager Manuel Riano, and Magic 98.3 Morning Show host Joel Katz

2024 was an incredible year for Franklin Food Bank. It was filled with awards like their million dollar grant, and being named a Non-Profit of the Year by the Somerset County Business Partnership. FFB also landed on the list of the Top 300 food banks in the country.

It was also a year filled with real transformation and impact. Inside and out, they enhanced every part of their building. It is now more welcoming, more efficient, and has been significantly optimized.

Franklin Food Bank accomplished all of this while serving an ever-increasing need as our Central Jersey neighbors continued to face high costs in groceries, housing, and childcare. All of these have increased double digits over the past five years. 

Another major accomplishment was running more wraparound services than ever before. Franklin Food Bank also put its strategic partnerships such as St. Peters University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, and Zufall Health to work in addressing social determinants of health, like healthcare.

They opened satellite pantries in two local schools and made the most of their coalitions to dig deeply into cooperative practices and collective action. 

The expectation is for all of these giant steps to look like small steps compared to how they plan to grow the FFB in this coming year.

This is the year they’ll celebrate fifty years of serving our community.

Check out my monthly first Monday conversation with Franklin Food Bank’s Executive Director Derek Smith here…

In December they’ll be throwing Franklin Food Bank’s first Gala right here in Franklin. Another new idea everyone is looking forward to is their much anticipated and exciting poetry competition with local schools.

Through a partnership with Somerset County, they now have someone helping them perform neighbor case management. This is a tailored approach that will deepen their relationship even further with every person who visits the FFB. This will help everyone learn how to access all of the locally available services that are available to help improve their lives.

Franklin Food Bank Community Distribution

The FFB Community Distribution happens on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 am. It takes place at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens at 771 Somerset Street in Somerset.

Go to FranklinFoodBank.org for more information.

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

The 10 Most Followed Instagram Accounts in 2024

Social media has truly changed the game over the last few years. From fans getting access to their favorite celebrities to influencers going viral and being able to make a living it has done so much for us all.

One of the most popular social media platforms that people enjoy using is Instagram. The photo (and video) sharing platform was released in 2010 and has grown to be one of the most used platforms today boasting billions of users, including your favorite celebrities.

If you are an active Instagram user, then you know how easy it is to be able to look up and find some of your favorite celebrities and influencers. Many times, you can be out and about and see someone for the first time and instantly look them up on Instagram. It’s your chance to see a bit into their life (or as much as they want to share).

Have you ever thought about which of your favorite celebrities have the most followers on Instagram? There are times when Beyonce posts and I click on her profile and see that followers count and just in amazement. Those millions of followers from all over the world can really make you shift your perspective.

But Beyonce doesn’t have the most. Do you know of the most followed people on Instagram? I have always wondered, so that’s why I am here… to do all the hard work for you. I went looking online and found the most followed Instagram accounts in 2024 and the results somewhat shocked me. You probably know the majority, if not all, of the people on this list even if you don’t follow them. (I follow quite a few on the list myself though). So, check it out below and see who everyone is following on the gram.

Most Followed Instagram Accounts in 2024

  • 10. Justin Bieber

    Coming in at #10 is Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) with a total of 294 million followers. The 30-year-old singer and former teen pop sensation has gained millions of followers over the years for his music, fashion, and overall vibe with fans. Bieber first was discovered via social media, which somewhat explains his success on social media even now after years of fame. Now that he is married and a first-time father, we might start getting some more cute family friendly content as well. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_CV7GLJBA3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  

  • 9. Khloe Kardashian

    It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t see a Kardashian-Jenner make the list. Well, she’s not the only one but Khloe Kardashian comes in at #9 for 2024 with  305 million Instagram followers. The reality TV star and businesswoman gained traction along with her family over the years due to their reality TV shows. She is also an influence promoting both her businesses and others via her social media platform as an additional income. You can also see a bit of her personal life from their children and home decor all through her profile.

  • 8. Beyonce

    Coming in at #8 is the Queen B, Beyonce. The singer and fashion icon has 314 million followers and follows only one account, Jay-Z. Her Instagram feed is very curated to fit a certain aesthetic, but that is only an aesthetic that seems to be hers. Although Beyonce does not use the platform to dig into her personal life, we are able to see her business endeavors and special surprises whenever she posts announcements. Recently, that is where Beyonce announced her NFL Christmas halftime performance.

  • 7. Kim Kardashian

    Back with another Kardashian, but we still have one more sister higher up on the list. But at #7, it’s Kim Kardashian herself. The reality TV star, fashionista, and beauty guru has a whopping 359 million followers on Instagram. Her feed consists of almost the same as her sister, Khloe, with a nice mixture between her businesses and her personal life. Her Instagram is also what she uses to announce a lot of her business collaborations to get information to the public quicker, including her recent Skims collab with Dolce & Gabbana.

  • 6. Ariana Grande

    Up next is pop sensation, Ariana Grande. The singer and actress has a total of 376 million followers on Instagram. From her iconic music videos and albums to move announcements, her Instagram is a great sneak peek into the life of Ariana Grande. You are also able to look into some of her iconic looks and behind the scenes of her personal life. Slightly.

  • 5. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

    Finally, another male is added to the list. It’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The WWE Hall of Famer and award-winning actor has a total of 395 million followers. The former wrestler generated a lot of fans from his WWE days, but he has also gained traction from his acting days, as well as, his entertaining content. From viral videos with Kevin Hart to gym content to dad content, he offers a little bit of everything for everyone on his platform.

  • 4. Kylie Jenner

    The most followed sister is also the youngest sister, Kylie Jenner coming in as the #4 most followed person on Instagram. She has a total of about 396 million followers. The beauty influencer and businesswoman has gained traction from not only their family television show but her beauty brand and tips are heavily followed. Many of her followers also enjoy her fashion content and her vlogs which allow you a bit deeper look into her everyday life whenever she posts those. She also has a heavy following on TikTok where she does more consistent everyday video posts.

  • 3. Selena Gomez

    Now, we have another singing diva on the list… it’s Selena Gomez. The Disney star, actress, and singer has a total of 424 million followers on Instagram. Although she is coming in at #3, she is the most followed woman on Instagram for 2024. She is also the founder of Rare Beauty which also generates even more followers and social media traction.

  • 2. Lionel Messi

    Now, we’re gearing up to hit the high numbers. Coming in at #2 is Argentina soccer player, Lionel Messi. Messi is one of those names that even if you don’t follow soccer, you know who he is. He has a total of 504 million followers on Instagram. The iconic soccer player is the captain of the national team and gets many different endorsement deals also posted to his social media account.

  • 1. Cristiano Ronaldo

    The most followed person on Instagram in 2024 is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal soccer player has a total of 643 million followers on Instagram. The famous soccer player is another person known beyond just the soccer world. He has been the most followed person on Instagram in the last few years and continues to grow. He is one of the most well known soccer players and gains traction from both soccer, businesses, and his family. Looking at the top two, he will probably remain at the #1 spot over the next few years yet again. We shall see if anyone will top him.

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