Wow! Staff and volunteers at Franklin Area Survival Center are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community this week. Donations from Greenfield Community College, UMass, various school lunch sites, Living Waters Assembly of God, Meditation Center, area restaurants including: Stone Soup Café, Deerfield Inn, Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, Five Eyed Fox, 2nd Street Bakery, and from caring individuals, have been a wonderful surprise this past week! Our neighborhood grocers, Big Y, Stop and Shop, BJ’s, Cumberland Farms, who weekly give, continue to provide perishable foods. We and the people you are helping are grateful for all who give products and of their time. Thank you!
As all of us are faced with daily changes to our lives, we too have been trying to anticipate and plan for the impact on the center and the people of our community. First, we realized with businesses having to shut down, people are being laid off and the needs we meet will be increasing. Normally during the year, Franklin Area Survival Center provides for up to 1,900 people each month and now new families are signing up daily. Thanks to the current contributions we have met that need. It is heart-warming to know we can help people because of your generosity. The Food Pantry is open, 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m.
Anyone wanting to sign up please call 413-863-9549. Your information can be taken over the phone. The best time to call is in the afternoon.
We have changed our daily routine to maintain health guidelines of increased sanitizing and social distancing. Staffing has been reduced to a minimal of volunteers and they will be handing items to customers in new bags to reduce chances of virus transferring.
Needs will continue to increase and the contributions from places who were suddenly shut down are depleting. We look for other resources. We have had to close the Thrift Store and staff have been laid off. As a nonprofit, the income from the Thrift Store and donations generally covers the food we purchase, our buildings, utilities and salaries. Any monetary and food contributions during this time will help to continue stocking a variety of foods for families and will help to pay operating bills.
Stay tuned for procedures when the Thrift Store reopens. Those of you who are doing your spring cleaning and purging, hold onto donations and when we can once again receive them, we will gladly let you know. People will be looking for re-purposed items to decorate fresh and be ready for the spring and summer months. We miss your smiling faces.
Once again thank you to all who contribute product, monies and time. We are a strong caring community. We will get through this together!
Fern Kolakoski is the executive director of the Franklin Area Survival Center in Turners Falls.