Sunday, May 10, 2020

Food Bank gives out 42% more food compared to last year





COVID-19 Update -
Food Bank Distributes 42% More Food


Letter Carriers' Food Drive Postponed 
Help Us Raise $35,000 to Replace Food from Annual Drive 

This Saturday, May 9, would have been the National Association of Letter Carriers' food drive, which usually collects 100,000 pounds of food. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food drive has been put on hold so we can keep our letter carriers safe.

Please join us in thanking and recognizing these front line workers by making a donation to the Food Bank in their honor. $35,000 is needed to replace the 100,000 pounds of food that the Letter Carriers would have collected through this annual drive.

Click here to donate and thank you for helping us feed our struggling neighbors. You can also download a special note that you can leave for your letter carrier.

Reaching More Neighbors in Need
During the month of April, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank distributed an unprecedented amount of food to meet the demand in the community.
 
Compared to the same time period last year, we delivered 42% more food to member agencies, community organizations and through our state, city and town emergency management agencies.

We regularly serve 53,000 guests each month at our 168 member agencies throughout the state.  In a survey of just ten of our largest member organizations, they reported that together they saw a total of 3,000 more guests for the month of March when comparing 2019 to 2020.

In addition, we’re providing assistance to thousands of Rhode Islanders at other locations in collaboration with the RI Emergency Management Agency.


By the Numbers
Since the COVID-19 crisis began in March, the Food Bank has distributed:

10,049 Meals4Kids Boxes
These boxes contain a week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches and snacks for kids. Contents include soup, crackers, pasta, juice, apple sauce, mac & cheese, fruit cups, oatmeal and milk. They’re distributed through member agencies and community partners.

113,904 Meals, Ready to Eat Kits
We continue to work with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency to distribute pre-packaged Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), individually prepared food rations containing one meal, side dish, and snacks.

928 FEMA Family Meal Boxes 
These boxes contain 5 breakfasts and 5 lunch/dinner meals, including cereal, milk, rice and beans, canned green beans, canned meats, fruit cups, and snacks. With the distribution of these boxes, families gained access to 9,280 more meals.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Food Bank during this crisis for helping us continue this important work.

What's Happening at Our Member Agencies?
One of the neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19 is in the 02909 zip code in Providence where member agency Federal Hill House coordinates two food pantries along with many other critical social services.

Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff recently spoke with its Executive Director and Food Bank Board member Kimberly Fernandez to get an update on how they're responding to the increased need in the community.

Watch the video of their conversation. 
Our mailing address is:
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
200 Niantic Ave
Providence, RI 02907-3150