Programs

  • Client Choice

    In New Jersey, nearly 40% of residents live below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, which means they struggle to meet the financial burden of basic necessities for the household and that they do not have a savings or a safety net of any kind. In Somerset County, a family needs to bring in nearly $100,000 per year in household income to afford minimum necessities. In the region located closest to the food bank, income tract 533, the median household income is just $40,000 per year. Our primary program, Client Choice, allows Franklin Families to shop in our market as needed, up to twice per month. The Franklin Food Bank Market is open five days a week, emulates a small grocery store and is stocked floor to ceiling with dried, fresh, frozen and refrigerated foods and household products such as detergent or health and beauty aids. This mode of food distribution better delivers our mission of serving the food needs of our local community in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.
    Geographies
    Somerset County, NJ, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Food security
    Age groups,Cultural Heritage,Ethnic and racial groups,Social and economic status
    4K
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  • Community Distribution

    We recognize that while families in Franklin Township are struggling, some of our closest neighboring towns experience the same issues associated with wealth disparity. Not only does New Jersey rank 11th in the country for income inequality overall but the state has some of the starkest racial wealth gaps in the country - the median net worth for white families is $352,000 but only $6,100 or $7,300 for Black and LatinX families, respectively, according to a recent study from Princeton University. To the Franklin Food Bank this means we need to address general food insecurity - no questions asked. Community Distribution is our answer to providing food to those who need it the most within our wider community. This monthly drive-thru distribution effort is held the first Wednesday of each month in partnership with the Franklin Township Police Department's Community Relations Bureau and the Somerset County YMCA. Each month we distribute nearly 1,000 packages of fresh produce and/or dry staples and beverages when available. Additionally, we hold pop-up community distributions during especially busy times of the year, such as holiday seasons.
    Geographies
    Somerset County, NJ, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Food security,Food aid
    Age groups,Cultural Heritage,Ethnic and racial groups,Social and economic status
    12.2K
    –

  • Beyond Borders

    The Franklin Food Bank has supported smaller agencies, pantries, soup kitchens and food serving non-profit organizations for many years. In 2022, we formalized the program, calling it Beyond Borders. We expected to close the year having partnered with 25 agencies - in the end, we had over 40 partners by our side. It is vital to the overall health of the community that people are able to access food no matter where they are from. Beyond Borders helps us to broaden our reach and deepen our impact perhaps more than any other program run by the organization - it is only through these types of strategic partnerships that our work be felt far beyond the borders of Franklin Township. Beyond Borders partners travel far! Through this program, we were able to provide regular food and beverages to the soldiers stationed all the way down at McGuire Air Force Base and even were able to send food and supplies to Ukraine.
    Geographies
    New Jersey, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Community food systems,Food sovereignty,Human rights,Food aid,Free goods distribution,Gift distribution,Disaster relief
    Age groups,Cultural Heritage,Ethnic and racial groups,Social and economic status
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