Franklin Food Pantry Welcomes New Executive Director

Meet Lynn Calling, the new Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry! Lynn has almost 20 years of experience working in non-profit organizations, higher education, and community-based organizations, which includes the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC), Green Schools Alliance and the MIT Alumni Association. Lynn specializes in volunteer management, fundraising, community outreach, and program management and development. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies, from The University of Connecticut. Lynn also serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Governors of the East Bridgewater Branch of the Old Colony YMCA.
“My past work experience has been with smaller nonprofit organizations,” says Calling, who says she gained a lot of fundraising experience in her position at MIT. “I’m a mission-driven individual. For me, going to work is not just a job, it’s really to support the cause. This is an issue that I care deeply and am passionate about. Everyone should have equal access to food, no matter what their circumstances are.
According to Franklin Food Pantry Board of Directors Chair Tina Powderly, “Lynn’s leadership in nonprofit management and fund development will serve the Franklin Food Pantry and our clients well. We are in a period of growth with several key strategic initiatives to implement in the near term. Lynn is uniquely qualified to lead us through these important developments and is a highly mission-driven individual who cares deeply for her constituents as well as her staff. We are privileged to have her as the next Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry.”
Calling, who took the position on June 24th, 2019, is getting to know the community and its strong relationship to the Franklin Food Pantry. On her ninth day, she told Local Town Pages, “What I can tell you is that the staff, and the volunteers, and the community support the pantry tremendously, and it’s well loved.”
Calling aims to lead the Franklin Food Pantry forward, “to grow on that (love),” she says, “and find ways to engage the community on different levels, whether that’s through hosting our dip jar at local restaurants like Santa Fe, sponsoring events like Empty Bowls, the annual Turkey Trot or finding volunteers and sponsors for our weekend backpack program.”
Eager to get to know the community, Calling says she invites the community to reach out to her.
“We’ll be scheduling monthly volunteer orientations, where we share all information about volunteer opportunities, and we’ll be having open houses in the fall, where we’ll invite the community to come in and see what it’s like here – what does the food pantry look like, and how can you get involved?
Calling says she’s also interested in hearing from those for whom the food pantry has made an impact.
“Whether you are or have been a client, or have been someone who’s been instrumental in getting programs or events started, I really want to hear your stories,” says Calling.
The new executive director also points out that the food pantry staff can assist with more than food.
“Our staff helps clients, whether it’s filling out a job application, or filing for assistance,” she says. “We have a staff dedicated to helping our clients with whatever services they need or organizations. And we have clients that help us, with our community garden.”
Calling is not the only new face at the Franklin Food Pantry. A number of new folks have joined the team, including Kim Cooper, the new Donor Relations Manager.
“It’s a great team of people who are really committed to the mission,” says Calling, who currently resides in West Bridgewater with her 14-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, and who likes to run when she has some spare time. In fact, she recently completed her first half-marathon.
About the Franklin Food Pantry:
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to more than 1,100 individuals. Clients have access to bread and fresh produce daily during Pantry hours. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin elementary school children in need, Carts for Clients to help clients transport groceries home, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages.
The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.