COVID-19 and Food Bank Operations
As COVID-19 continues to impact our community through
the closing of businesses and schools, households at risk of hunger
become increasingly more vulnerable. We are working hard to meet the
increased demand for food assistance in our community.
Before this public health emergency began, the Rhode Island Community
Food Bank was distributing food to 53,000 adults, seniors, and children
through our partner agency network and direct distribution programs. As
more people come to us for assistance – many of them for the first time
– we expect
to see that number grow and we are committed to serving all of our
neighbors in need.
We Are
Feeding Our Kids
 This week, we have focused on packing
more than 7,000 Meals4Kids boxes and distributing them through our
network. These boxes contain a
week’s worth of healthy meals and snacks for a child,
along with information on other resources in the community. We are
thankful to Stop & Shop’s Our Family Foundation for funding this
program.
With school closures, children are missing out on the daily breakfasts,
lunches and meals they receive through school and afterschool programs.
We have been
sharing information provided by school districts on their free “Grab
& Go” packs that ensure children and their
families have access to three meals a day.
We Are
Feeding Our Seniors
The Food Bank provides boxes
of nutritious food to 1,660 seniors every month at food
pantries and senior housing sites throughout Rhode Island. The majority
of these distributions are continuing as scheduled.
We Are
Maintaining Our Operations
 Our fleet of trucks is on the road
daily as
Food Bank drivers have increased the amount of food and frequency of
deliveries to our member agencies. Our staff are also
responding to emergency needs and shortages as they arise.
At the Food Bank, we are operating with some modifications to our daily
routines. We have currently canceled all volunteer shifts through April
13. Also, many staff who can't do their regular jobs in the community
are now filling in for volunteers sorting food and packing boxes to
ensure that food distribution continues uninterrupted.
Our network
of 168 partner agencies throughout the state remains strong.
Although several have suspended food distributions, we are able
to refer guests to alternative locations nearby. We are encouraging all
agencies to remain open and follow all Rhode Island Department of
Health guidelines, including those for social distancing. The flow of
food to agencies is continuing with little disruption, and agencies are
serving families and individuals seeking food assistance.
The Food Bank is focused on meeting the needs of the community while
also ensuring the health of our employees, volunteers and other
stakeholders. Thank you for your continued commitment to our work.
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