Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Since 1982, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank has solicited, stored and distributed surplus food and grocery products to qualified member agency programs that provide food to Rhode Island’s hungry. Millions of pounds of donated food and nonfood household products are distributed into the community through our network of more than 400 member agency food programs in Rhode Island. During FY 2005, these agencies were able to make use of the Food Bank's staples and feed an average of 51,000 people each month.

The Food Bank employs multiple programs to ensure that Rhode Islanders have access to the nutritious food they need. Our Community Re-Pack, Fresh Rescue, Neighborhood Pantry Express and Direct Delivery programs offer us the ability to acquire healthy foods, inspect and prepare them for distribution and then quickly distribute this quality food to high-need communities.

The Food Bank has additional programs that are aimed at breaking the cycle of hunger. Our Community Kitchen program trains low-income or unemployed adults in food preparation skills, giving them the training, experience and confidence they need to attain gainful employment. While acquiring invaluable skills, students prepare meals for Kids Cafe – a program of America’s Second Harvest which serves evening meals to children at risk of hunger.

Additionally, Women Ending Hunger is an initiative to tap into the economic, social and personal connection women have to the need for adequate food. This collaboration seeks to provide healthy nutrition awareness and home-budgeting opportunities and to increase participation in the federal food stamp program.