FRANKLIN — For over 37 years, thanks to decades of dedicated volunteers, Bread & Roses has been serving two free meals every week, year-round, on Mondays and Thursdays, at 5 PM. Everyone is welcome. This past year over 5,170 meals were served, an increase of 1,855 meals over last year, with an average of 50 guests served each night.  

Bread & Roses was formed in 1987 by Reverend Barry Stoddard of the Unitarian Universalist Church and Reverend Leeann Taggett of the Sanbornton Congregational Church. The Franklin Unitarian Church has been the host since its inception. 

The Board of Directors consists of Diane Williams, Chairperson; Elaine Gauthier, Treasurer; Donna Burbank, Corresponding Secretary and Purchasing Agent; Sarah Wakefield, Recording Secretary; Debbie Steadman, Liaison with the Unitarian Church; Claire Wallace, Robert Ladew, and Gloria Muraszko. The Board is assisted by four committees.

The mission of Bread & Roses is to provide nutritionally home-cooked meals where all are welcome. The Kitchen opens at 4 PM and many guests arrive early for coffee, punch, or hot chocolate and snacks, affording guests an opportunity to socialize before the meal is served. The Franklin Congregational Church, under Team Captain Glenn Morrill, annually serves holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter to many guests.

These meals could not happen without the generosity of the WFTN Cash and Cans Drive each December, which provides many boxes of canned goods plus a significant amount of cash with which to purchase meat, paper goods, coffee, etc. The Boy Scout Drive in November and the Post Office Food Drive in the spring add greatly to the store of goods used, as well as monetary donations from other sources. 

Thanks also to local farms that donate fresh produce in season. The Hannaford Fresh Rescue Program donates day-old bakery and deli items to be used for meals and for people to bring home.

Thirteen volunteer teams from Franklin, Northfield, and Tilton work tirelessly to ensure these meals continue. Sanbornton Congregational Church, St. Gabriels, Franklin Savings Bank, Franklin Congregational Church, Tilton School, Franklin Unitarian Universalist, Eastern Star, Tilton-Northfield Methodist Church, Winnisquam Regional High School, and several groups of friends plan and carry out each meal.

There are far too many volunteers who have participated faithfully since 1987 to list them all here. However, we thank everyone for the great service they have extended to their neighbors. Their dedication symbolizes the generous spirit of our community, the City of Franklin.  

If anyone would like more information or would like to become involved, please stop by the Kitchen any Monday or Thursday, from 4 to 6 PM.