by J.D. O’Gara

Now that the Franklin Food Pantry has purchased the new building, formerly known as Edwin’s, at 341 West Central Street, Franklin Local Town Pages asked Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, about some of the details of its plan to undergo renovations to convert it into a functional, accessible and expanded Pantry. 

“We have been very lucky in that community has been very supportive of this project, and because it’s taken a long time to find just the right spot, we had a lot of professional interior designers, contractors, painting, electrical, who have reached out to say that when the time comes, they’d be interested in helping,” says Powderly, who plans to wholeheartedly take folks up on those offers.

At deadline time, Franklin Food Pantry was planning on hiring a general contractor to be OPM but had not finalized the hiring. 

“Kuth-Ranieri, based out of California, but with a Franklin office, is our architect,” said Powderly. “We are underway in terms of design planning, and we’ll be subject to all the supply chain issues and market demographics everyone is facing, but our plan is to start work on the fit-out of the building as soon as possible, and we would love for folks who have professional skills to offer that are applicable to the build-out to come forward and reach out to us, because this is really a building about the community, and the more the community has a hand in preparing it to open, the more wonderful it will be.”

Powderly welcomes “literally anyone who has a hand in the building industry to reach out to us” if they can provide in kind donations of labor, expertise or materials. 

As for the goal opening date?

“Gosh, I would love to be in there by the end of the year, of course, but realistically, we’re going to follow all the correct processes we need to follow, and again, we’re subject to the supply chain issues and labor shortages everyone is facing. We’re going to do this correctly, intentionally, and as quickly as we can with an eye toward the big picture goal of a fully accessible, warm, safe and inviting space, not just for our neighbors, but for our staff and volunteers.”

An inviting space, says Powderly, makes a big difference for patrons of the pantry.

“The folks who come visit us are, by definition, experiencing some sort of hardship,” says Powderly. What we’ve always been able to do, regardless of space, is meet them with a smile, provide food and some sort of support, but now we’ll be able to provide a space that is warm and accessible, and key, private and confidential, and enhance all those we do as a community.”

In April of 2020, the Pantry purchased 138 East Central Street to serve as a new location for its operations. After almost 18 months of work, the Pantry concluded that while 138 East Central was a viable option for pre-pandemic operations, Covid-19 so drastically changed operations and programming that the property no longer fully met the Pantry’s neighbors’ needs. The Pantry sold 138 East Central Street in late 2021. Simultaneously, the Pantry identified Edwin’s as a new relocation opportunity.  After detailed due diligence evaluating the feasibility of the property for its operations, the Franklin Food Pantry Board, on the recommendation of senior staff and the Pantry Building Committee, moved forward with the purchase of 341 West Central Street. The Pantry will use a variety of funding sources to purchase, renovate, and operate the building including grants, state funding, Board restricted funds and private donations specifically restricted for the new building. 

“This new building gives us an opportunity to continue the innovative programs we created during the Pandemic to better serve our neighbors. We are thrilled to honor Jean and Edwin Aldrich by continuing their legacy of connecting with and enriching our community,” said Powderly. “Through the generosity of our Board members and close friends, the hard work of our Building Committee and staff, and community members like Representative Jeff Roy who secured funding in the state budget for our new building, we will more fully meet our vision. The new building will have a larger and more accessible space that we will renovate to best fit our unique programs, especially those developed over the past two years.”   

These unique programs increase access to healthy food and related services that support needs arising out of food insecurity:  

• Three simultaneous distribution models (curbside, in-person, and home delivery) to maximize access and options for neighbors in various circumstances

• Onsite farmer’s market to provide access to healthy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs  

• Three holiday meal kits during the summer (right before July 4), at Thanksgiving, and during year-end holidays that neighbors can customize to their own family traditions

• In-person office hours to assist neighbors to access support for their everyday challenges   

Until the new space is ready, The Pantry will continue to operate at its current location and appreciates the continued support of Rockland Trust.  

Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.