Advocate for Change

The Problem: Not Enough Food to Meet the Need

The signs of economic hardship are everywhere.

Rhode Island has the highest level of food insecurity in New England. Families that can't afford adequate food are turning to emergency food programs in record numbers. Each month, the Food Bank's statewide network of member agencies feeds over 66,000 people. Five years ago, these same programs were serving 33,000 people each month – half the current number.

Action Needed: Restore the Legislative Grant

With demand for food assistance going up and food donations going down, the Food Bank needs more state funding for food. In 2008, the General Assembly's grant to the Food Bank was $345,000 – double the current grant amount.

Restoring this funding to the Food Bank would provide one million pounds of food, because the Food Bank can acquire three pounds of healthy food for every dollar. Every state dollar is spent on food. This year, the Rhode Island General Assembly grant provided only $173,000 to the Food Bank.

Your voice will make a difference to legislative leaders who are considering how to spend the state's precious resources.

Sample Advocacy Letter & Talking Points

Click here for a sample letter to our legislative leaders, which you can tailor to suit your own style. Click here for a list of talking points that will help you write your own original letter.

Responding to Changing Times

The Food Bank is challenged to keep up with the rising need for food assistance because food donations from supermarkets are down significantly. There is simply less surplus food available for supermarkets to donate. In fact, food donations have declined by 20 percent in the last four years.

To avoid empty shelves at food pantries across the state, the Food Bank must now purchase food from wholesalers at low-cost. This year, the Food Bank will purchase nearly 40 percent of the 9.5 million pounds of food that it distributes. Food purchases are made possible by funding from generous individuals, corporate donations and government grants. We are asking for restoration of the Community Service Grant to its 2008 levels because we believe that no Rhode Islander should go hungry.

We must speak out to make sure the voice of hungry Rhode Islanders is heard at the State House.

Click here to read Andrew Schiff's Op Ed on the Paper Plate Campaign, which gave voice to those who are suffering from hunger.

Take Action: Contact Our Legislative Leaders

Your voice can make a difference.  Please write a letter to our legislative leaders today. Urge them to increase the Food Bank's Community Service Grant. Let them know that they will have your support for maintaining the safety net for Rhode Islanders in need by increasing state funding for the Food Bank.

Please send letters to Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and House Speaker, Gordon D. Fox:

For Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, address your letter to:
Honorable M. Teresa Paiva Weed
President of the Senate
State House, Room 318 Providence,
RI 02903

Please cc and send copies of your letter to:
Chairman Daniel DaPonte
Senate Finance Committee
52 Vine Street #1
East Providence, RI 02914

Andrew Schiff, CEO
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
200 Niantic Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

For the House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, address your letter to:
Honorable Gordon D. Fox
Speaker of the House
State House, Room 323
Providence, RI 02903

Please cc and send copies of your letter to:
Chairman Helio Melo
House Finance Committee
1187 South Broadway
East Providence, RI 02914

Andrew Schiff, CEO
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
200 Niantic Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

Click here to download the Food Bank's 2012 Status Report on Hunger.

If you wish to share your opinions with the Governor or our U.S. Senators and Representatives, their contact information is below. 

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee
Office of the Governor
82 Smith Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903-1196
Governor's email: governor@governor.ri.gov
Governor's telephone: 401-222-2080 

Senator Jack Reed
Rhode Island Office Address:
100 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 290
Cranston, Rhode Island, 02920-5602
Washington, DC Office Address:
728 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Reed's email: visit http://www.reed.senate.gov/help/contacting-jack
Sen. Reed's telephone: 401-943-3100

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Rhode Island Office Address:
170 Westminster Street, Suite 1100
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Washington, DC Office Address:
717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. Whitehouse's email: visit http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/
Sen. Whitehouse's telephone: 401-453-5294

Representative David Cicilline
Rhode Island Office Address:
1070 Main Street, Suite 300
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Washington, DC Office Address:
128 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515Rep. Cicilline's email: visit https://cicilline.house.gov/contact-me/email-me Rep. Cicilline's telephone: 401-225-4911

Representative James Langevin
Rhode Island Office:
300 Centerville Road, Suite 200 South
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Washington, DC Office:
109 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Rep. Langevin's email: visit http://langevin.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
Rep. Langevin's telephone: 401-739-9400