Food Requests Increase

With more than 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs relying on the Rhode Island Community Food Bank for valuable food product, we are very concerned about how the food supply is holding up.

We saw a 7% increase in food requests during the holidays last year.  In the early part of this year, we are up over 10% above our monthly average for 2007.

We will have to fight to stay ahead of the need for food this year. 

When we asked Liz O’Dea, director of Poverello Center, a food pantry in Providence, whether she has enough food to meet the need, she told us, “I have to be very careful how I allocate food...otherwise, I won’t have food for families who come to us in an emergency.

“I’m seeing so many new people these days.  They’ve been working all their lives, but they can’t make ends meet and they don’t know what to do.  Many of these people have never asked for help before.  They don’t know how to access government programs. 

“So they really need our help, and I’m hoping we’ll have enough food.  But the demand just never ends.  It’s overwhelming some times.”

Throughout Rhode Island, agencies like the Poverello Center depend on the Food Bank as a major source of the food they can distribute to the truly hungry in our community.  Larry Coughlin, Director of Food Services for the Westbay CAP Marketplace, a food pantry in Warwick, echoes what Liz O’Dea told us. 

In the last year, his agency changed its coverage from five cities and towns to just focus on Warwick and East Greenwich several years ago.  But even serving just those two towns, the demand has now risen to where it was before they made the change. 

Larry told us that he has seen a disturbing change in the population he serves.
 
“It used to be that the people who needed food were almost all older.  Now, I see more and more young people.  They just can’t make enough money to get by.  That worries me.  Why are so many young people in need of food?” 

As the economy slows, and food prices continue to rise in the global market, it’s a challenge for us to keep up with the demand for food help across the state.

Generous Food Bank supporters help keep food flowing to the people who need it most.  Imagine how much more hunger there would be in our community without those who keep the Food Bank strong.

We are doing every thing we can to stay ahead of the need.  But we can’t do anything without your help.  And the more you give, the more we can do. 

We work very hard to make your donations go as far as possible.  By constantly searching for new cost-effective sources of food, and recruiting and making the best of use of volunteers, we can supply enough food for 300 meals for every $100.

Earn the community’s support and generosity is a responsibility taken very seriously.  More than 92% of donations go directly to provide food. 

We hope that you recognize the critical role you can play in alleviating hunger and choose to make a gift today.