9 minute read
Franklin Cooperative Ministry
By Titus Mohler
Franklin Cooperative Ministry is about community helping community.
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“All the support that we receive is local,” FCM Director Margaret Anne Smith said. “Our grants are local. We don’t receive any government assistance.”
In its quarterly newsletter, the ministry is described as a centralized outreach program serving Franklin, Southampton County, southern Isle of Wight County and the 23437 zip code of Suffolk.
FCM was founded in 1991 by community members, churches and social workers who wanted to create a “one-stopshop” by combining the community clothes closet with emergency food pantries operating out of different local churches, the newsletter stated. This also provided the opportunity to centralize record-keeping.
“Our database currently has files on 5,922 households,” ministry officials stated in the fall 2021 newsletter.
The newsletter pointed out that every organization is unique and has something to bring to the table, and FCM is no exception.
“We have an emergency food pantry,” officials stated. “This means we have non-perishable food on hand at all times, always available during regular business hours. We recognize that life can throw a curveball from time to time; Franklin Cooperative Ministry was created to help people dealing with life’s unexpected situations.”
Smith, who has been FCM director for four-and-a-half years, knows the history of the organization well. She said that in 1995, the ministry had a balance of $3,912.54, with no outstanding bills, and its leaders decided it needed to expand its programming in light of this strong balance.
“The first financial assistance we did was dental, because at that time, Medicaid had not expanded,” Smith said. “There was no adult dental assistance in the area, so it’s the first thing they added.”
The ministry’s fall 2021 newsletter outlined how FCM has grown to operate eight different programs now: • the clothing closet, • dental extraction, • prescription medication, • rent, • eyeglasses, • transportation, • food • and utilities.
The newsletter then described each of these programs, starting with the clothing closet.
“Our clothing closet began in the trunk of Mrs. Mildred Burgess’s car,” officials stated. “It is currently located at 511 N. Main St. and offers shopping areas for men, women and children. Everything available at the clothing closet is donated, so shopping is free. The clothing closet offers shoes, undergarments, clothing, diapers, accessories, feminine hygiene products and incontinence products. Neighbors in need may shop by appointment (to help accommodate social distancing during the pandemic), and emergencies, such as house fires, are handled on a
Franklin Cooperative Ministry Helping people deal with life’s unexpected situations
SUBMITTED | MARGARET ANNE SMITH From left, Franklin Cooperative Ministry Administrative Assistant Sallie Wood, volunteer George Wood and FCM Director Margaret Anne Smith unload holiday food pantry donations. The ministry relies upon volunteers for its success, and food donations are accepted every weekday.
case-by-case basis.”
FCM officials noted that in partnership with local dentists who provide services at a reduced rate, the ministry is able to assist with the cost of emergency dental extractions for adults without dental insurance.
“We often see that pain resulting from a badly damaged tooth leads to missed time at work, which can hinder a working adult’s ability to remain financially self-sufficient,” officials stated.
FCM is able to assist with the purchase of eyeglasses and the cost of vision exams in partnership with the Franklin Lions Club.
The ministry’s emergency food pantry is available for both community residents and transients who need assistance with food.
“We offer perishable items as they are made available to us and also provide special blessings during the holidays,” officials stated. “If transportation is an issue, someone may designate another person to pick up food on their behalf.”
Franklin Cooperative Ministry is able to assist with the cost of prescription medications and make referrals to long-term/ ongoing assistance programs, the newsletter continued, also noting that FCM is able to assist with payment of rent when there is imminent danger of eviction.
The ministry is able to assist with the
cost of transportation during a crisis.
“We are also able to provide limited assistance to transients trying to reach another destination,” officials added.
Lastly, the newsletter noted that FCM is able to assist with utility payments when there is imminent danger of disconnection.
Franklin Cooperative Ministry has two primary locations. The clothing closet is found at 511 N. Main St., while the other seven programs operate out of a location at 301 West 1st Ave.
Due to COVID-19, access to the ministry’s facilities is still limited, so the easiest
way to reach FCM to benefit from its services is to first call 757-516-6322.
Smith said that when she first joined the ministry, she was amazed by how smoothly it worked.
“It shouldn’t flow as well as it does, but it does; it just always works,” she said. “We have churches, we have groups, we have people that will call weekly or monthly and just go, ‘Hey, what are your top needs right now?’ that have always looked out for us.”
She said she expected people to have to step back and take care of their own during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They stepped forward and did more, and it has been an incredible thing to watch,” she said.
For those interested in stepping forward to contribute to FCM, Smith explained how they can.
“We accept donations of clothing and linens, infants up through adults, at the clothing closet every Monday morning,” she said. “We accept food donations to our food pantry every day that we are open, so that’s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.”
She said the ministry accepts cash donations, and its winter 2022 newsletter noted that with one full-time and two part-time employees, FCM’s success de-
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41st Annual Franklin-Southampton County Fair
“Blue Jeans & Country Dreams” August 10th - 13th
41 Years of Fairs, Family, Farming & Fun! Great entertainment ALL FOUR NIGHTS on the Main Stage!
Enjoy a stroll through both air conditioned buildings to see great arts and cra s, homemade food items and local business vendors show you all the great things we have in the area.
“A Day in the Country!”May 14, 2022 9 AM to 11 PM Music, Car & Truck Show, Kid’s activities, Corn Hole and vendors. Food, Drinks & Adult Beverages! $8.00 per person Does not include food, drink or beer A Day in the Country!
Follow us on Facebook for updated information about the upcoming fair! For more information call 757-562-3765 or www.franklinsouthamptoncountyfair.org Franklin Parks & Recreation
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The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation offers a variety of activities such as: Free WiFi • Cable Television • Computer Lab • Gaming Room (Xbox 360, Playstaion) • Pool Room • Foosball, Ping Pong, Air Hockey & Basketball Shooting Table • Arts & Craft • Outside Recreation (basketball court, playground) • Athletic Programs
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
pends largely on volunteers.
“The food pantry volunteers are in their bubble, and the clothing closet volunteers are in their bubble, but we do have a list,” Smith said. “When emergency food stamps stop, I expect a big, hot disaster, and we have a list of volunteers on standby to come and help us get the food bags ready.”
Smith said the first point of contact for those looking to help FCM would be 757516-6322.
Mildred Burgess, left, and Mildred Eubanks organize the Franklin Clothing Closet out of a storage space at ABC Storage on Armory Drive in November 1990. This outreach program was the seed that would become Franklin Cooperative Ministry, a centralized community outreach agency now celebrating 30 years of service.
People benefit from a clothing closet distribution event held by the Franklin Cooperative Ministry. This photo showcases part of the Franklin Cooperative Ministry’s clothing closet at 511 N. Main St. that offers shopping areas for men, women and children. FCM accepts donations of clothing and linens, for infants up through adults, at the clothing closet every Monday morning.
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