In-Studio Guest: Franklin Food Bank’s 37th Annual Tour de Franklin

The Franklin Food Bank is proud to announce the 37th anniversary of the Tour de Franklin, a cornerstone community event that has seen cyclists and walkers log over 500,000 miles and raise more than $1 million since its inception.

This year’s milestone arrives at a critical juncture. With a shaky funding landscape and a staggering rise in the cost of living, including a 50% increase in housing and 60% in childcare since 2019, the Food Bank is seeing more neighbors forced to choose between essential bills and their grocery budgets.

“The landscape is incredibly uncertain," says the Franklin Food Bank team. "When a family is hit with a tuition hike or a car repair, that money almost always comes out of the food budget. That is where we come in."

To meet this rising need, the Franklin Food Bank has several upcoming distributions and workshops

Check out more information on Tour de Franklin, Empty Bowls, Rising Tides of Hunger during my conversation with Franklin Food Bank Development Director Allie O'Brien here...

The Food Bank is also excited to unveil its brand-new website. The site features a comprehensive Spring calendar, highlighting the many workshops and community partnerships designed to support Franklin neighbors.

For more information, to register for the Tour de Franklin, or to view the full event calendar, please visit their new website at FranklinFoodBank.org

The Franklin Food Bank received good news. They received a generous $50,000 gift from Praise Presbyterian Church for the Franklin Cares Capital Campaign.

This milestone contribution marks a next-level chapter in a long-standing, vibrant partnership between the two organizations. For years, Praise Presbyterian has been far more than a donor. From coordinating massive group volunteering shifts to serving as dedicated Ambassadors and sponsoring local events, the Praise congregation has consistently shown up for their neighbors.

Now, as the Franklin Food Bank envisions a new, state-of-the-art facility designed to expand beyond food distribution into wraparound Beyond Food services including health screenings and nutrition education, Praise Presbyterian is once again leading the charge.

"Our partnership with the Franklin Food Bank is about honoring the dignity of every person in Franklin", said Pastor Sung No, the visionary leader at Praise Presbyterian Church who championed this gift. "We’ve stood together through 50 years of change in this town, and as we look toward the future, we are honored to help build a permanent home where hope and health can grow alongside the food. We believe in this vision, and we are proud to step up for the Franklin Cares campaign."

The Franklin Cares Capital Campaign was launched to meet the evolving needs of a dynamic and growing community. While the Food Bank started in a church basement in 1975, the current concrete seams are bursting. The new facility will allow for a more integrated approach to promoting food security, providing a one-stop-shop for self-sufficiency.

"Praise Presbyterian has been with us in the market, warehouse, and community for years", says Derek J. Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank. "Having them invest so significantly in our future facility and services is incredibly moving. It’s a testament to what happens when local leaders like Pastor Sung truly understand what Franklin residents need and deserve."

The gift will be recognized as a cornerstone of the campaign, which continues to seek community partners to help reach its 2026 goals.