Neighbor News
$100,000 grant to stock local food pantries
The new year just got brighter for people who depend on local food pantries thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.
The new year just got a lot brighter for people who depend on local food pantries to make ends meet thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.
Sparked by a recent report about rapidly rising food prices, the Foundation made the special donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and challenged Rhode Islanders to pitch in during this time of extraordinary need.
"Our goal is not just to address the alarming increase in hunger in our state, but to hopefully to provide leadership and to inspire Rhode Islanders to assist their favorite charities as well as to help people in need as we enter the winter months," said Neil D. Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO.
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Food Bank will use the grant to make more food available to local organizations like the Community Care Alliance, the NewBeginnings meal site at All Saints Church and the St. Joseph Cupboard in Woonsocket.
Food Bank officials say the donation is among the largest the organization has received this year. The money will enable it to buy enough food to provide an additional 370,000 meals.
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“With this gift, we’ll be able to deliver more food to our member agencies so that they can provide assistance to working families who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Andrew Schiff, the Food Bank’s CEO.
The grant will enable the Food Bank to purchase staples such as baked beans, rice, tomato soup, fresh produce and canned carrots, corn and peas. The organization will work with soup kitchens, senior centers and food pantries to get the food into the hands of hungry residents.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grant making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.