Legislative Info

Today, the demand for food assistance is increasing as more families face economic hardships due to growing unemployment and rising costs of food and fuel.

Last year, the Rhode Island General Assembly provided $384,000 to the Food Bank.  This helped us to meet the demand at emergency food programs throughout Rhode Island.  However, the Governor has proposed cutting our state funding by 50 percent beginning in July 2008.

You can help.  Please contact state legislators and ask them to level-fund the Food Bank.  Otherwise, food pantries and soup kitchens across the state will have empty shelves.  We also want legislators to maintain the Food Stamp Outreach Project that helps eligible families enroll in the Food Stamp Program.  Let your legislators know that this is not the time to cut the state’s food and nutrition safety net.

To read Andrew Schiff's May 13th testimony to the House Finance Committee, 'The Critical Need for the Food Stamp Outreach Project,' please click here.

Below, for your convenience, there are links to a draft advocacy letter and a full list of Rhode Island’s Representatives and Senators.

Please click here to download a sample advocacy letter.

For a list of Rhode Island Representatives, click here.

To download a list of Rhode Island Senators, click here.

For some easy and effective tips you can use when contacting your legislator, please click here.

To visit the Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State website and search for contact information for your local, state and national elected officials, click here.

Many thanks for letting your voice be heard!