This year has been “bananas” (no pun intended) at the Franklin Food Bank, with an extraordinary number of visits and users, according to Director of Development Allie O’Brien.
The nonprofit organization, which has been serving the community for almost 50 years, has added wraparound services to its already popular programs.
Since its establishment in 1975, the Franklin Food Bank has provided over 2.6 million pounds of food to thousands of customers. In 2019, the organization moved to a larger location at 224 Churchill Avenue in Somerset.
O’Brien stated that in the past month alone, they have seen approximately 700 new customers.
This is somewhat historic,” she said. “In 2020, we had 1,000 new people, which was exceptional and something we had never seen before. Normally, we welcome 200 to 300 new individuals each year. This increase happened for various reasons, and it hasn’t been this high since 2020. Yet, this year, it has already reached 700. Once again, we are witnessing a rise in the number of people in need of assistance.
According to O’Brien, the Franklin Food Bank had only one primary program in the past. However, that changed in 2022 when more technology was introduced.
We used to have just one program,” said O’Brien, whether it was distributing food bags or utilizing the Client Choice Market model. “Community Distribution” and “Beyond Borders” are two additional food-based programs that we formalized in 2022. In 2023, we introduced wraparound services to help address some of the underlying causes of food insecurity.
The Franklin Food Bank operates as both a food bank, serving organizations, and a food pantry, serving individuals, according to O’Brien.
“We’re a hybrid model,” she remarked. “We formalized these programs in 2022, and they had a significant impact. Regular distributions benefit all parties involved. We have a drive-through distribution that served approximately 11,000 families last year. Additionally, we support various organizations through Beyond Borders. We have more than 40 Beyond Borders partners with us.”
The wraparound services introduced in 2023 will assist individuals in signing up for SNAP and WIC benefits, as well as providing assistance with paperwork for federal assistance programs. In addition to a backpack program in two Franklin elementary schools and mobile health screenings, the Franklin Food Bank has also initiated monthly nutrition classes featuring cooking demonstrations and dietary education.
Furthermore, the Franklin Food Bank plans to launch a financial education program in 2024.
These wraparound services aim to address the root causes of hunger, which O’Brien claims are “primarily related to financial insecurity.”
“Food insecurity is a financial crisis,” according to O’Brien. “It’s the situation where a family has to choose between paying for utilities, groceries, or rent. The easiest aspect of a person’s household budget to adjust is food, but that doesn’t explain why. There’s a significant wealth gap issue in New Jersey and across the nation, and that’s why it’s happening. Food insecurity will persist until we begin addressing these issues, and by ‘we,’ I mean the collective ‘we’ of our entire society.”
Like many other service organizations, the Franklin Food Bank has recently seen significant increases in demand. Last year, they conducted about 11,300 sessions in the Client Choice Market. According to O’Brien, it appears that they will conclude 2023 with 17,000 sessions.
Families and individuals can access the service and “shop” by selecting their own groceries through the Client Choice model. The market is designed like a small grocery store, with standard food categories such as bread, frozen goods, dairy, and produce. When customers make an appointment, they are checked in, provided with a cart, and given the freedom to select the items they need for their family’s meals. A list of available items is provided.
The Client Choice Market is open on Mondays through Wednesdays from 12:30 to 6:00 p.m., Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., and Sundays.
Franklin Food Bank Executive Director Derek Smith assures that every visit results in a fully loaded cart, and that the food is provided with dignity and respect for those in need.
The monthly community distributions are open to everyone on the first Wednesday of each month at the Franklin Township Community Relations Bureau’s (the CRB) headquarters, located at 935 Hamilton St. in Somerset. Franklin residents are eligible for up to two monthly visits to the Client Choice Market. The distribution event starts at 11 a.m. and continues until resources are exhausted. Appointments are not required for the community distribution program.
O’Brien emphasized that whether someone is visiting for the first time in a month, the second time, or even after a year, it doesn’t make a difference because the amount of food provided remains the same. “At the moment, it seems that we’ve served more than 50% of our community this time, and these are only mid-year statistics.”
The group system at the Franklin Food Bank is extremely busy, according to O’Brien, which reflects both the community’s need and its significant demand. In the past, they would commence operations at 11 a.m. and conclude around 1:30 p.m.
“It’s been 16 crates gone in an hour and a half, so maybe we still have some food left,” she remarked. “Perhaps,” she added. Additionally, it raises awareness of the Franklin Food Bank’s outstanding programs.
According to O’Brien, the Franklin Food Bank has experienced “tremendous, tremendous growth” in a very short period of time. Expansion would not be possible without the support of the community, according to Smith.
“We need the community’s help,” O’Brien emphasized, “if we’re going to continue to meet the demand and serve the community, as well as address the growth we’ve experienced.” “We need financial contributions. We need individuals to reach out if they want to organize a food drive. And most importantly, we need increased awareness.”
O’Brien noted that there has been a rise in public awareness of the organization’s services.
“That’s a good thing,” she remarked. “It’s a bit of a perfect storm because both the need and awareness are increasing simultaneously.”
For more information, visit franklinfoodbank. To arrange an interview, contact 732-246-0009. Org is the domain name.
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