Franklin County Community Meals Program
“At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Poor Richard's Almanac
Why is this big man holding this little envelope?
It’s Share the Bounty with the County time at local restaurants, and hungry families in our community need you to contribute generously. A project of the Franklin County Community Meals Program, Share the Bounty invites diners to leave a dollar or two in a specially-marked envelope when they dine out during the holiday season.
All contributions will help to provide free meals five evenings each week in Greenfield, Turners Falls, and Orange, and to provide food to individuals and families through the Orange Food Pantry. Last year, FCCMP served 18,655 free meals across the county, and gave away enough food to feed 13,492 people for 3 – 5 days each at the Orange Food Pantry. According to program Director, Amy Clarke, “Last year was a record-breaking year for us, but it’s not such a good thing to break records when you’re in the emergency food business. Two weeks ago, for the first time in years, we had to close the Pantry a half hour early because we just ran out of food.”
“The Share the Bounty campaign raised over $3,500 for our program last year”, said Board President, Todd Clark. “We count on those funds to buy food throughout the winter.”
Participating Share the Bounty restaurants include last year’s top fund-raiser, the Mohawk Diner. Also in the Greenfield area, generous supporters include the People’s Pint, Denny’s Pantry, Brad’s Place, the Four Leaf Clover, Taylor’s Tavern, the Wagon Wheel, and for the first time, the Greenfield Grille, the Gill Tavern, and the Rendezvous. There are also canisters for donations in Excelsior Pizza, Bart’s and Café Siren. In the Orange/Athol area, our very enthusiastic restaurants include Sharon’s White Cloud, Johnson’s Farm, and Eddie’s. The campaign will continue through the month of December.
For more information about FCCMP, please call program Director Amy Clarke at 772-1033, or if you are unable to patronize participating restaurants but would like to make a donation, it may be sent to FCCMP, P.O. Box 172, Greenfield, MA 01302. FCCMP is a United Way partner agency.
