Franklin Center

We will have our monthly food distribution today we’ll see you at 1pm! Go chiefs!

Si va a haber despensa el día de hoy! Nos vemos a la una!

No emergency at Franklin Center today. The fire fighters who courageously worked saving the building this summer were doing training exercises and forgot to give notice. Thanks for the concern :-)

The Harvesters Mobile Food Distribution is still on for next Wednesday, June 14. Parking lot opens at 1:00 and the food is distributed from 2-4. The line forms up the 14th st hill. Want to avoid a longer wait? Come by at 1:10 to get a time to return.

Thanks!!

La distribución de Harvesters de comida es la próxima Miércoles, 14 de junio. El estacionamiento abre a la 1:00 y repartimos comida a las 2 a 4. La fila de carros se forma en la calle/loma de 14th st. Quieres esperar menos tiempo? Pase a la 1:10 para un ticket con el tiempo de regresar.

Gracias!

Clean up is under way! There’s one thing we know, the building is strong and beautiful! There’s still time to give to help stabilize the building. Donate here: https://gofund.me/148b0f20

Thanks to all who came out to the meeting tonight. Here is the Go Fund me link to help us raise money to stablaize the building. Please share and help us out as you are able!

Franklin Center Emergency Stabilization, organized by Amber Booth An initial assessment has been made at the Franklin Center. The roof needs rep… Amber Booth needs your support for Franklin Center Emergency Stabilization

We’re feeling so many feelings about the fire last week. It was arson. We don’t know who or why—perhaps young people messing around with no idea what the consequences might be if it got out of hand.

What most people don’t know is all of the blood, sweat and tears that our board and volunteers did to reopen the Franklin Center. In November of 2019, we were under a month away of closing on a $5.5 million redevelopment project after years of coordinating federal tax credits, financing and tenants. Then, a tax credit guarantor unexpectedly asked for more time after having already granted executive approval six months earlier. The funding agency couldn’t grant more time as it was under a mandate to distribute its funds by the end of the year. Years of work coordinating $5.5 million fell apart in a moment.

Four months later, the world shut down in a global pandemic and philanthropic focus rapidly moved to providing struggling families with food and shelter. There was little appetite for a project like ours yet the Franklin Center volunteers still didn’t give up looking for strategic partnerships with more established and moneyed organizations that seek the common good of Wyandotte County.

Last week, our worst fears were realized. We are gutted. We are angry. We have asked what ifs. We have shed so many tears. We’ve felt let down. We’ve felt like we’ve let the community down.

But while the building looked empty, there was so much activity behind the scenes fighting for this place when no one else was willing to. We’re so grateful to all of those who have loved this place. To the volunteers who show up faithfully every month for the food distribution. To the board who spent all of their social capital to leverage funding for its redevelopment. We’ve paid lawyers, architects, engineers, consultants and the UG but not one of the people connected to the Franklin Center received even one dollar for their efforts. They did it for the love of this place and this community.

If you are one of the people who loves this place and the efforts of this dedicated group of people, we invite you to join us on Tuesday night to mourn and pray with us. If you’re angry and want to point the blame, we feel you. We hope the above story details in part just how hard we fought and how close we came and that you’ll find grace. Our intentions and our efforts may still not be enough for you. We accept that. And we’re willing to hear you out in other forums. But not that night. Tuesday night is for those that love this place and this group of people and need to find a place to remember collectively.

Thank you,
The Franklin Center

Friends and Neighbors,

We are deeply saddened by the fire at the Franklin Center today. The cause of the fire is under investigation. We are making no decision on the future of the building today. We want to take time to mourn the damage the fire caused. We are thankful for the firefighters who spent their day putting it out. We will gather next Tuesday evening in the parking lot to share our concerns and also share memories of the great times at the Franklin Center.

See you Tuesday, May 30th at 6pm.

Food distribution today at 2pm! The parking lot opens at 1 or receive a ticket to return at a reserved time slot.

Despensa de comida a las 2 el día de hoy! Se puede entrar el estacionamiento a la 1 o recibir un boleto para regresar a la hora indicada!

We still have spots open for Tuesday and Wednesday! Text us to sign up to Christmas shop for your kids.

Tenemos lugares disponibles el martes y miercoles. Mandanos un mensaje si quiere venir a comprar regalos para sus hijos.