The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to announce that it has been honored with the 2022 MyFM Quest for the Best Gold Award for Best Place to Volunteer! The 2022 MyFM Quest for the Best highlights the very finest organizations that the area has to offer – from burgers and pizza to nonprofits and building contractors. It’s an opportunity for owners, employees, customers and fans throughout the community to let their voices be heard. And the people spoke up in a big way, with over 1,300 nominations received across 250 categories this year.  More than 450,000 votes were cast.   

The Pantry celebrated amazing contributions of its award-winning volunteers at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, September 28 at the Mount Street Farm in Franklin. Special attendees included Representative Jeff Roy and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.   

The Pantry bestowed its 2021 President’s Volunteer Service Award to three volunteers who served over 500 hours, one volunteer who served over 300 hours, and seven volunteers who served over 100 hours.  This prestigious award was founded in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to honor individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.  Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers. 

Tina Powderly said, “We are so grateful that the community recognized the dedication and passion of The Pantry’s volunteers with the Quest for the Best Gold Award!  The Pantry simply could not serve all of the families that shop with us each week without the hard work and commitment of each one of our 125 volunteers. We can’t think of a better reason to celebrate them this year!”  

Tom McAuliffe II, President & CEO of MyFM Media, said, “This contest is a celebration of the local businesses that have endured, innovated and found new and better ways to serve their customers. Small businesses in particular play a critical role in the community, and the pandemic presented extraordinary challenges for many.”   

Congratulations to our 2022 award winners: 

Gold  

Community Gardens 

Jen Kuse 

Molly Kilburn 

Silver 

Diane Daddario 

Bronze 

Mary Anne Dean 

Suzanne Gendreau 

Chris Kilburn 

Donna O’Neill 

Kym Pruitt 

Jim Roche 

Dave Strittmatter 

To join this wonderful volunteer cadre, contact Kayla Sines, Pantry Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].