Beyond the Bell
Dignity and Respect in the Classroom
The Beyond The Bell program is built on a comprehensive, three-pillar service model designed to address the immediate, household, and long-term needs of Franklin families. The rate of participation in free and reduced lunch in Franklin is 10% above the state average. By embedding supports directly within the educational environment, we dismantle the barriers to food access and foster a culture of dignity and respect.
Satellite School Pantries
Sustainability is the core of our model. We work hand-in-hand with school pantry leaders and district food security liaisons to ensure all students – and their families – have access to the food they need.
In addition to supplying school pantries with food, we provide instructions on how to run food drives to replenish their pantry as needed, thereby offering both support and promoting self sufficiency.
How We Support Schools:
- Initial Supply: The Franklin Food Bank stocks all 10 district schools at the start of the year and at major milestones.
- Customized Replenishment: We monitor individual school needs, supplementing pantries that require extra help while supporting others in hosting community food drives.
- Safety Net: Our goal is to ensure families have immediate access to food while creating a clear pathway back to the food bank for more comprehensive care until they can get back on their feet.
Pantry Go Bags
Our Go Bags provide immediate, short-term hunger relief for students experiencing anything from a sudden growth spurt to chronic food insecurity.
- What’s Inside: One bottle of water and two individually wrapped, low-sugar snacks (such as crackers, pretzels, and/or dried fruit).
- The Impact: By providing essential nourishment through trusted school staff, we prevent learning loss and increase student focus throughout the school day.
Pantry Weekender Bags
Weekender Bags are designed to bridge the gap between Friday afternoon and Monday morning for families facing chronic food insecurity. These bags provide a reliable bridge to household stability and serve as a vital link to broader community resources.
- What’s Inside: Shelf-stable, vegetarian-friendly staples designed to feed a family of four for two days, including items like rice, beans, soup, pasta, and canned vegetables.
- The Connection: Every bag includes referral information, guiding families to the Franklin Food Bank for more comprehensive, ongoing assistance—including fresh produce, meat, and dairy.
Rising Tides of Hunger
This annual creative competition for students in Franklin Township is designed to amplify youth voices at the critical intersection of climate change and food insecurity. Through the power of poetry and spoken word, we invite our young leaders to explore how our changing environment impacts the dinner tables of our community and the resilience of our neighbors.
The Competition
We are calling on all local students to submit original works that speak to these rising challenges. This is more than an art project—it is a platform for advocacy and a call for a more sustainable, food-secure future.
Who: All Franklin Township Students (including homeschooled and charter schools)
The 2026 Theme: Roots of Resilience; because you can’t grow food on a flooded farm
Prizes: Awarded to top submissions in elementary, middle and high school categories
The Showcase: Finalists will be invited to perform their work at our community showcase on June 16th.
Join us as we use art to bridge the gap between awareness and action, ensuring that while the tides of change may rise, our community’s creativity and collective support rise higher.
Free Farmers Markets
Back-to-School Distribution
Every year, in partnership with the Franklin Township Board of Education, we host a special Free Farmers Market during the district’s annual backpack giveaway. Located at the board offices just before the school year begins, this market provides families with a vibrant cornucopia of fresh local produce, ensuring our students are fueled and ready for academic success.
Seasonal Pop-Up Markets
In addition to our back-to-school event, look out for “Pop-Up” Free Farmers Markets throughout the growing season. These events are designed to celebrate the harvest and increase access to healthy, fresh food in neighborhoods across the township.
Follow our social media or check back here for announcements on upcoming dates and locations!
Bring The Food Bank To Your School
We believe that a food-secure community starts with informed and engaged families. We are proud to partner with Franklin Township schools to provide resources, education, and support.
Franklin Food Bank Road Show!
Is your school hosting a Parent Engagement Night, Back-to-School Night, or Health Fair? We would love to be there! The Franklin Food Bank can set up an interactive information table to share:
Enrollment assistance for SNAP and other benefits
Schedules for our Free Farmers Markets
Information on how families can access our Market and wraparound services
Volunteer opportunities
Additionally, our Executive Director, Derek Smith, would love to visit your school to present to students, parents, teachers and/or administrators on a variety of subjects! Just reach out!
Get in Touch
To request the Food Bank for your next school event, please contact our community outreach team.
Follow our social media or subscribe to our calendar to find out about upcoming events!
Monthly Produce Drive-Through
Once a month, we host a drive-through distribution where families can receive a generous supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. This program helps stretch grocery budgets and makes sure healthy, seasonal produce is accessible to all.
Did You Know?
Multiple times throughout the month, we welcome our partners from local organizations, hospitals, institutions and community organizations to offer health screenings and information to our neighbors. Screenings may include A1c, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Covid testing, Flu and Covid Vaccines, substance abuse prevention and more.