Though Mother's Day is intended to be a joyous occasion for women across the country, thousands of moms will be overlooked on this special holiday because they are forced to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness.

Heartbreaking statistics from the Domestic Violence Resource Center state that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. According to a national study from the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, approximately 25 percent of homeless women are homeless because of violence in the home.

To ensure moms in crisis receive the love and appreciation they deserve this Mother's Day, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Franklin is hosting its Movers for Moms® collection drive to provide critical gifts to local women staying in community shelters this spring. Mellow Mushroom in Franklin, located at 317 South Main Street, is accepting items through Mother's Day to help with this program. Those that donate items that are needed, will also receive $5 off of $25 or more as a gesture for their kind donation to this cause.

Items that are being accepted include, paper towels, Fabuloso multi-purpose cleaner (not pine scented), disposable gloves, 75 watt light bulbs, fabric softening drying sheets, tall kitchen trash bags, large trash bags for leaves, juice boxes, packaged snacks for kids, soap, Kroger, Walmart and Target gift cards, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, floss and toothbrushes.

This spring marked the 10th anniversary of Movers for Moms®. Since its introduction, the program has expanded nationally to all 39 states and more than 300 franchises. Last year was the program's most successful year to-date, with more than 285,000 items collected for donation to hundreds of shelters across the country. This year, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®'s goal was to collect more than 300,000 items for moms in need across the country.

Follow Movers for Moms® online at www.facebook.com/MoversforMoms or @MoversforMoms. For more information on Franklin Mellow Mushroom, visit www.mellowmushroom.com/franklin and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shroomfranklin.