Each September during Hunger Action Month, food banks across the country raise awareness of the problem of hunger and the far-reaching impact it has on our communities. This year, the need in our state is especially dire. Each month 82,600 people visit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s member agencies – 50% more than before the pandemic. The demand for food assistance in Rhode Island is the highest it has ever been, and the Food Bank is struggling to keep up. Many shelves are empty in the Food Bank’s warehouse as food is rapidly distributed to member food pantries, which are experiencing high numbers and long lines.
In Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024), the Food Bank distributed 18.3 million pounds of food, up from 16.2 million pounds the previous year. With the cost of food remaining high and the cost of housing skyrocketing, families and individuals are visiting our member pantries in droves – many for the first time.
“We’re at a point where we have to sound the alarm,” shared Andrew Schiff, Food Bank CEO. “We need the public to be aware that it’s their donations that help us keep our shelves stocked and provide a reliable source of healthy, culturally relevant food to our pantries and meal sites so that no one is turned away.”
The Food Bank distributes food through the non-profit’s state-wide network of 147 member agencies, who in turn make it available in their communities. Food is acquired, thanks to the support of generous donors, through donations, purchases, and government commodities. Currently the largest percentage of the food distributed is purchased from wholesalers and distributors to keep up with the demand for food assistance, and to ensure there is enough fresh produce and culturally relevant food items to meet the needs of diverse food pantry guests across the state.
The East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is among the pantries, meal sites and senior programs that receive food from the Food Bank. “It’s an absolutely unprecedented time coming off a global pandemic where we talk about being in the recovery phase. The reality is, many Rhode Islanders have not recovered,” said Rilwan K. Feyisitan, Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer at EBCAP. Feyisitan also sits on the Food Bank’s board of directors.
“One of the most alarming things we’ve seen recently is people who used to be donors coming in for services. We’re seeing immense issues with housing insecurity among our clients, which goes hand in hand with food insecurity. Housing always eats first.”