Rhode Island Community Food Bank

The Food Bank's member agencies are serving a record 82,000 Rhode Islanders each month. Thank you to Uprise RI for shining a spotlight on the need for greater resources for those in need in our state.

Unsung Hero: RI Food Bank Shoulders Burden in State Rich in Support, Poor in Charities - Uprise RI The Rhode Island Community Food Bank reports record-breaking food distribution amid surging demand, serving 50% more people than pre-pandemic levels. Despite Rhode Island ranking #1 nationwide for supporting basic needs, the stark reality of food insecurity persists, highlighting the complex challen...

In observance of Victory Day, the Food Bank will be closed on Monday, August 12th. Please dial 2-1-1 if you are in need of assistance during our closure.

Governor Tim Walz signed universal school meal bill into law in Minnesota, saying "I’m honored and I do think this is one piece of that puzzle in reducing both childhood poverty and hunger insecurity.” Governor Dan McKee let's get this done so no child in RI goes hungry!

Walz signs universal school meals bill into Minnesota law Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law Friday that will provide breakfasts and lunches at no charge to students at participating schools. It makes Minnesota the fourth state in the country to do so.

Our five-year-old friend came to the Food Bank for a tour with her kindergarten class and loved the experience so much, she wanted to get involved! This summer, she organized a neighborhood lemonade stand with proceeds coming to the Food Bank to provide food to her neighbors in need. She’s starting her philanthropic career early! 😊

Check out these insightful conversations on food, farming, and sustainability - fueling our mission to nourish communities in need. 🌱

22 Podcasts on Food, Farming, and Sustainability – Food Tank These podcasts on food and farming cover everything from wellness fads to climate-smart agriculture to global foodways.

Our friends at are once again supporting our neighbors in need with their summer food drive. Stop by a local branch with your non-perishable food donation today!

Attention Rhode Islanders! The Sun Bucks program is here to support families with kids during the summer months. Eligible families can receive extra benefits to ensure children have nutritious meals when school is out. Learn more and apply today! https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/supplemental-nutrition-10

Another successful ride along for CEO Andrew Schiff! Today he hit the road with Food Bank driver Steve Ortiz and had some fun with the dedicated team at Casa de Oracion Getsemani in Pawtucket.

RI faces rising hunger linked to social risk factors, as new study from Brown University highlights increased food insecurity. Strengthening support for vulnerable communities is crucial.

More than 1 in 10 patients at federally qualified health centers experience major social risk factors A first-of-its-kind study found high rates of food insecurity, housing insecurity, financial strain and a lack of transportation among FQHC patients, particularly those from low-income or marginalized populations.

Look who hit the road! Our CEO Andrew Schiff accompanied driver Gil Grandchamp on his delivery route. Here, they dropped off an order at Pentecostal Church Jesus Christ Fountain of Life Pantry in Johnston. Andrew commented that the community treats Gil like a rock star when he arrives. (We think so too!)

Summer is here and Rhode Island is heating up - it’s important to stay cool. Learn how to prevent heat exhaustion and how to respond if you or others are affected by it.

Find a cooling center near you at https://riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/cooling-centers or contact 2-1-1 for additional assistance.

If you or someone else is being affected by heat exhaustion, immediately move to a cool place, put a cool, wet cloth on the body, and sip water. If symptoms persist after one hour, seek medical help.

In observance of Independence Day, the Food Bank will be closed on July 4th and 5th. Please dial 2-1-1 if you are in need of assistance during our closure.

The Food Bank is hiring!

The Warehouse Order Picker should have general order picking knowledge. The individual will also be responsible for packing and sorting donations, and should also have experience using standard warehouse equipment.

Visit https://rifoodbank.org/careers/ to see the full job description and learn more about our open positions. We can't wait to meet you!

Rhode Island reinstates mandatory interviews for SNAP recipients, impacting many in need of food assistance. Stay informed and prepared for these changes to ensure continued support. 🍎

RI reinstates mandatory interviews for SNAP recipients A process that was paused during the pandemic has returned for anyone receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Rhode Island.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, holds great significance in American history. On this day in 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience, strength, and cultural contributions of the black community.

The Food Bank will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth. If you are in need of food assistance, please dial 2-1-1.

A statement from the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition. Thank you to Representative Justine Caldwell, Senator Sandra Cano, Governor Dan McKee, and the General Assembly.

Thank you to Dominick Ruggerio and the Rhode Island Senate for voting to increase funding for the Food Bank in the FY25 State budget. This crucial support will help us provide healthy, nutritious food to the record number of Rhode Islanders in need. We are grateful for your dedication and partnership!

We are so grateful to Speaker Joe Shekarchi and the Rhode Island House of Representatives for voting to increase funding for the Food Bank in the FY25 State budget. The additional funding will enable us to provide healthy, nutritious food to the record number of Rhode Islanders in need of assistance. Thank you for your support!

Today we are honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nourishing Neighbors with Shaw's Supermarket Foundation and Albertsons Companies Foundation. We’re so grateful for the support in feeding our neighbors in need!

Ever heard “eat the rainbow”? Swipe to learn how different colors of produce help support your health! Our Healthy Habit Team’s Rainbow Salsa is a great option to get a taste of all the colors of the rainbow on a budget - find the recipe here: https://rifoodbank.org/healthy-habits-recipes/

The Food Bank is hiring!
Visit https://rifoodbank.org/careers/ to see the full job description and learn more about our open positions. We can't wait to meet you!

In observance of Memorial Day, the Food Bank will be closed. Please dial 2-1-1 if you are in need of assistance during our closure.

Rising grocery costs are pushing many Americans into debt, with food prices up 20% nationwide over the past two years. The impact of food insecurity is growing, and support for affected Rhode Islanders is more crucial than ever.

www.cnbc.com

"[Schools] saw the huge benefits of providing free meals to all students: supporting families, supporting kids, changing the culture of the cafeteria.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/21/headway/how-free-school-meals-went-mainstream.html



Sandra Cano Representative Justine Caldwell American Heart Association - Rhode Island Rhode Island KIDS COUNT National Education Association RI (NEARI)

How Free School Meals Went Mainstream Over the past decade, many more schools started to offer free meals to all children, regardless of family income.

"If we want to shorten the lines at food pantries, then we should do what’s necessary to feed more children at school. It’s that simple."

Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff, who serves as part of the state's Healthy School Meals for All Coalition, shares his point of view on the importance of access to school meals to Rhode Island students.

Let’s prioritize children’s nutrition in Rhode Island - The Boston Globe If we want to shorten the lines at food pantries, then we should do what’s necessary to feed more children at school. It’s that simple, writes the head of the Rhode Island Food Bank.

"Schools should not be put in the position of debt collectors. Putting them in this position can harm their ability to have positive relationships with students and families. Providing Healthy School Meals for All students would solve this issue and many others."

Read more about how Healthy School Meals for All would mitigate "lunch shaming" in Rhode Island's schools.

Thank you to Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the National Education Association RI (NEARI) for partnering with us on this important work.

'Lunch shaming' was a scandal in RI. These schools still have the policies. Several high schools in the state still have punitive policies on the books for students carrying meal debt.

Exciting upgrades at St. Patrick’s Food Closet! With help from a Food Bank Agency Capacity Grant, they've undergone a remarkable transformation. With a grand reopening, they've moved from a basement space to a fully built-out food pantry on-site.

This upgrade ensures greater accessibility for all guests, with features like refrigeration, a conveyor belt, and more. As director Lynn Rousseau aptly puts it, "It's not just about the space; it's about the help we can provide."

The Letter Carriers Food Drive is May 11th! Support the RI Food Bank by donating non-perishable food items to help our neighbors in need of food assistance.

If you received a postcard from your mail carrier, leave your non-perishable, non-glass food donations outside on Saturday, May 11th for your carrier to collect. You can check out our website for a list of items you can donate.

We're grateful to the letter carriers for their hard work in making this event possible.

Last Week our Healthy Habits team attended the 3rd Annual Warwick Mental Health & Wellness Fair, a free community event hosted by Warwick Public Schools. This community event was geared towards all ages and included free resources, yoga, arts, crafts, and much more to celebrate the start of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The Healthy Habits team shared information about “Good Mood Foods” - the foods we eat with nutrients that support brain development and mental health. Nutritious foods are important to support our overall physical health and are crucial for our mental health and wellbeing.

The team passed out foods like kale, which is high in folate, and dark chocolate, which is high in magnesium. They also brought extra recipes and prizes for the attendees as well!

Learn more about our Healthy Habits program and the team's recipes: https://rifoodbank.org/healthy-habits/

Thank you to Stop & Shop whose partnership continues to aid us in our mission to feed Rhode Islanders seeking food assistance.