RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK ASSOCIATION

DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED A RECORD 18.6 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY USING THE REMAINDER OF PANDEMIC-ERA SURPLUS FUNDS, SECURING AN INCREASE IN STATE ALLOCATION FROM $550,000 TO $800,000, AND SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP), WHICH BROUGHT IN EXTRA LOADS OF FOOD DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR. THE FOOD BANK ALSO CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON EQUITABLE FOOD ACCESS BY STOCKING FRESH PRODUCE AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOOD PRODUCTS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED 4.3 MILLION POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE, WHICH INCLUDED CULTURALLY RELEVANT PRODUCTS SUCH AS AVOCADOS, PLANTAINS, TARO ROOT, AND BOK CHOY.THE COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A BOX OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMODITIES TO LOW-INCOME SENIORS EACH MONTH. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY BOXES TO 1,999 SENIORS AT FOOD PANTRIES AND SENIOR HOUSING FACILITIES. MEALS4KIDS BOXES CONTAIN FIVE BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES AND SNACKS AND ARE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN THROUGH OUR MEMBER AGENCY NETWORK. BOXES ALSO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT IMPORTANT PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED NEARLY 9,800 MEALS4KIDS BOXESTHE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED GRAB-AND-GO STRING BACKPACKS THAT INCLUDE SHELF-STABLE, CALORIE-DENSE MEALS AND SNACKS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNHOUSED POPULATIONS SEEKING ASSISTANCE AT FOOD PANTRIES OR MEAL SITES. EACH BAG CONTAINS SEVEN LIGHT MEALS AND SIXTEEN SNACKS, IN ADDITION TO WATER AND MILK. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED 13,000 BAGSDURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED 10,000 SPICE BOXES, WHICH CONTAIN AN ASSORTMENT OF TWELVE SPICES THAT ENABLE PANTRY GUESTS TO ADD FLAVOR AND CULTURAL RELEVANCY TO MEALS THEY CREATE FROM THE FOODS AVAILABLE TO THEM AT OUR AGENCIESTHE FOOD BANK OFFERS VOLUNTEER SHIFTS TO CORPORATE GROUPS WHO HELP PACK MEALS4KIDS BOXES, COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM BOXES, TO-GO STRING BACKPACKS, AND SPICE BOXES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, 1,537 CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 4,556 HOURS.THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEAM SUPPORTS LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS BY CONNECTING THEM TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL FOOD SECURITY. THE TEAM INCLUDES SNAP OUTREACH PROFESSIONALS WHO OFFER SNAP PROGRAM INFORMATION, DIRECT APPLICATION/RECERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO HELP ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS SECURE SNAP BENEFITS. THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDES REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES INCLUDING HOUSING ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING AND MUCH MORE.

KIDS CAFE SERVED EVENING MEALS TO CHILDREN AT RISK OF HUNGER AT FOUR AFTER-SCHOOL SITES: EAST PROVIDENCE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, THE PAWTUCKET YMCA, THE PAWTUCKET BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, AND THE SEGUE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN CENTRAL FALLS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, KIDS CAFE STAFF PROVIDED ALMOST 88,000 MEALS TO AN AVERAGE OF 385 CHILDREN DAILY.