Women Ending Hunger

The volunteer group Women Ending Hunger (WEH) works to create long-term solutions to the problem of hunger.

Women Ending Hunger works on many issues, including those concerning nutrition education and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program. Under the leadership of Mary Flynn, Ph.D., RD, LDN, and Susan Gustaitis, Executive Director of the Jonnycake Center of Peacedale, WEH also works to educate the public and advocate around hunger issues.

Current projects include:

• Advocacy concerning issues of childhood nutrition and school meal programs
• Advocacy regarding the Farm Bill and its impact on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Participation in the Food Bank's Speakers' Bureau
• Volunteer opportunities for events and special programs

Women Ending Hunger members have assisted the Food Bank with the Feeding America Hunger Study (PDF, 367KB), and the traveling photographic exhibit, Witnesses to Hunger, which features photos taken by women living in poverty and experiencing hunger. In addition, they worked with RISD to design a reusable shopping bag which can be purchased online or at the Food Bank.

Meetings are held four times a year either at the Food Bank or at a community location. New members are welcome. Contact Doris Moore at (401) 230-1678 or via email. 

Upcoming Meeting Dates

April 3, 8:30 a.m. at the RI Community Food Bank
June 5, 5:30 p.m., Wine & Cheese, at Local 121, Providence

Clients and Agency Directors Share Real-Life Stories

At the September 2012 meeting, Women Ending Hunger listened to the voices of four people who are close to the issue of hunger:

Ray Casavant, RN, a registered nurse became homeless when he lost his job during the recession. Now, back on his feet and working again, he volunteers at the food pantry where he used to go as a client.

Victoria Cherwinski, a recent graduate of the Food Bank's Community Kitchen culinary job training program, shared her struggle to improve her life and care for her child. She now works full-time at a local nursing home.

Lorraine Burns, (pictured here, left), has operated St. Teresa of Avila's Food Pantry for 15 years. She shared the reality faced by the people she serves and the challenge of keeping the shelves stocked, month after month.

Anita Randall, (pictured here, right) Executive Director of the East Bay Food Pantry, spoke of the sense of community and support she discovered after founding this food pantry three years ago in Bristol, where many people did not imagine there was an issue with hunger.

Members Volunteer for Paper Plate Campaign

Hunger Action Month is September, and the Food Bank marked it in 2012 with a Paper Plate Campaign at local farmers markets.

We asked the public to write their thoughts about the issue of hunger on a paper plate, and we've been posting these images on facebook. We also plan to deliver the plates to local legislators.

Several members of Women Ending Hunger helped to staff these events, including Christina Corbett (far right). Also pictured here is Mayor Angel Taveras, who stopped by the Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market to participate.

To see the results of our Paper Plate Campaign, visit our Facebook page.