Everything is settling into a routine at the Emergency Shelter in Franklin. Many of the residents at the Emergency Shelter are beginning to receive state services that were, initially, slow to start. This means that our efforts will slowly begin to move from emergency meeting of needs and service gap-filling to long-term support that will ultimately help families transition out of the shelter (which is still going to be a long, slow process).

The After-School Program is now a regular part of community life and providing a helpful outlet for support and play for children in elementary, junior high, and high school. It is offered Wednesday afternoons (when there’s not a half-day or holiday). If you’d like to learn more or potentially help out, contact Rev. Kathy McAdams at rector@stjohnsfranklinma.org.

The initial push for donation sorting and packing is over. Just about everyone has received warm clothes and at least one coat. That being said, there are still needs to be met and plenty of opportunities to help. Next week, there will be opportunities to volunteer Monday through Friday. We need to move all the donations to a new location inside the Franklin United Methodist Church (82 W. Central Street, Franklin)–from the basement to the balcony. This new location is slightly larger and will be much more convenient, especially as works begins on the church’s sanctuary ceiling. You can signup to help by going to franklininterfaith.org/donation-sorting/. If you have any questions about the donation sorting/packing/moving or would like to sign up a group at a special time, please contact Pastor Jacob Juncker at jacob@franklinumc.org.

The Franklin Interfaith Council voted today to bulk order new socks and underwear. Once received we will pack socks and underwear to go out to everyone in the shelter. Over the next several weeks, we will be doing our best to fulfill needs that were partially fulfilled (or not at all) in the first round of donation distribution. As such, we’re asking for a new list of donations. See the updated flyer below.

Download a (.pdf) of the flyer here and distribute as you see fit.

Please note: we are not taking furniture donations nor are we taking toy donations at this time. Christmas gifts for emergency shelter residents have already been taken care of separately from this effort.

Thank you for your on-going support! If you have any questions, please email info@franklininterfaith.org.