WPRI 12 & FOX Providence bring the community together annually for a day of giving to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to ensure no one goes hungry
It’s the season of giving and we at WPRI 12 & FOX Providence are asking for your help on one day, with one goal: to feed local families in need.
Today, we’re devoting the entire day to raising money for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which more than ever needs your assistance to replenish its pantries.
Partnering with WPRI 12 on this effort is Citizens, who has made a corporate pledge to match up to $10,000 for all funds donated today.
If you’re able, please consider donating to help make someone’s holiday more food secure.
Make a Day of Giving Donation Now:
If you don’t see the donation entry form above, go here: rifoodbank.org/wpri-12-day-of-giving
“We’re so appreciative of WPRI’s efforts to shine a light on the problem of hunger in Rhode Island,” RI Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff said.
“One in three households across the state are experiencing food insecurity this year, and those numbers are even higher in households of color,” he continued. “The rising cost of living caused by inflation, coupled with the end of many federal COVID-19 relief benefits, is resulting in too many of our neighbors struggling to put food on the table for their families.”
Last year, the food bank distributed 15 million pounds of food through 140 of its member agencies to support of the community. Roughly 2.7 million pounds of that was fresh produce, according to the food bank, including 1.5 million pounds of culturally relevant foods like avocados, yuca, and bok choy.
The food bank says it’s currently serving more than 63,000 Rhode Islanders every month – 20% more than last year – as basic living costs like groceries, heating, and rent increase. One-third of the food distributed by the food bank is purchased from wholesalers and distributors. The food bank says that monetary donations are the most helpful, since they can better leverage donations to purchase food by the truck load.
“We’re so appreciative of WPRI’s efforts to shine a light on the problem of hunger in Rhode Island.”
Andrew Schiff, RI Community Food Bank CEO
More About the RI Community Food Bank
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank distributes food to people in need through a statewide network of 150 member agencies, including food pantries, meal sites, shelters, youth programs, and senior centers.
The food bank is a private, nonprofit organization located in Providence, RI. It is governed by a Board of Directors, elected annually by the food bank’s member agencies. The food bank is affiliated with Feeding America, the national food bank organization. The food bank is funded primarily by gifts from individuals, corporate donations, foundation grants and shared maintenance fees charged to member agencies.
Learn more about the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at rifoodbank.org
More people than ever are struggling right now. A new report shows food insecurity is three times more prevalent than before the pandemic and nearly a third of Rhode Island households can’t afford to put adequate meals on the table.
But help is available to those who need it.
In our latest 12 on 12 Digital Original – we talk to local organizations about what they’re doing to support families and highlight ways you can step up and help your neighbors in need.
In this 12 on 12: Watch – Neighbors in Need | How to Get Help | How You Can Help
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