RI Philanthropists Donate $3 Million to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Cathy & Tom Lawson’s legacy gift will support the Food Bank’s work for years to come

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – (December 11, 2025) The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Rhode Island’s oldest and most trusted hunger relief nonprofit, is honored to announce a significant gift from longtime philanthropic supporters, Cathy and Thomas Lawson.

The Lawsons’ generous gift of $3 million will support the long-term sustainability of the Food Bank’s operations. Cathy, a retired speech and language pathologist for children with special needs, and Tom, retired CEO of FM Global, have been giving to the Food Bank for nearly a decade.

“Tom and I have long believed that no person should go hungry, which is why we have supported the Rhode Island Community Food Bank since 2016,” shared Cathy. “During a visit in October, I was moved by the number of empty shelves in the warehouse. It was a powerful reminder of the need in our community. We’ve always held the belief that if you can help, you should—and that’s what led us to make our largest gift yet to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.”

In October, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank served an unprecedented 100,000+ people through its statewide network of 137 member agencies. This fall’s government shutdown and lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits created a dire situation for families already struggling to make ends meet amidst the high cost of living. The need is greater than ever and shows no immediate signs of improvement.

“Gifts like this are a game changer, especially given the unprecedented need in our community,” said Melissa Cherney, Chief Executive Officer of the RI Community Food Bank. “The Lawson’s steadfast support over the years has been incredibly important for the Food Bank, but this transformational gift ensures that we can feed our neighbors in need today, and for years to come. We are incredibly grateful, both for the gift, and for their trust in our team to put their donation to work to serve Rhode Islanders.”

FOOD BANK WELCOMES DANA DIMARCO AS NEW CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

DiMarco brings more than 25 years of experience in nonprofits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – (October, 2025) The Rhode Island Community Food Bank announces Dana DiMarco as its new Chief Philanthropy Officer. DiMarco joins the Food Bank after her most recent role as vice president, development and communications at Child & Family, based in Middletown. DiMarco also worked as a senior account manager at Blackbaud, developing a deep knowledge of fundraising technology.

DiMarco is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and a volunteer with the RI School Recycling Project. She also mentors young women in transitional housing.

“I was drawn to the Food Bank because its mission truly resonates with me – ensuring every Rhode Islander has access to good, healthy food with dignity,” shared DiMarco. “Food insecurity isn’t just an issue in our cities; it affects people in every part of the state. I’m looking forward to building relationships and partnerships that strengthen that network of support across Rhode Island.”

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Providence, RI, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“the Food Bank” or “RI Food Bank”) serves as the central hub for food distribution across its state-wide network of 147 member agencies/food pantries, ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Through donations, federal programs, and community partnerships, the Food Bank works to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger.

The RI Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank │ 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907 │ (401) 942-6325 (main) │ rifoodbank.org

RI Community Food Bank Braces for SNAP Cuts

Nearly 143,000 Rhode Islanders Will Lose Food Assistance

PROVIDENCE – (October 28, 2025) The Rhode Island Community Food Bank released the following statement from CEO Melissa Cherney in response to the ongoing government shutdown and threat to nutrition assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP:

“Nationwide, 42 million Americans are on the brink of hunger. That includes nearly 143,000 Rhode Islanders who will lose the lifeline provided by SNAP. 

“We are facing a perfect storm that will have devastating consequences on our state and in our communities. We were already serving a record breaking 89,000 Rhode Islanders every month, with less food than in previous years. When you add in the fact that, as of Saturday, November 1, the SNAP safety net will disappear, we are in a hunger crisis. The need is greater than ever.

“I join my colleagues across the country in calling on Congress to take action on behalf of the people who need it most, and I share my deep gratitude to Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation for their efforts to avoid this disaster. Just as importantly, I call on all Rhode Islanders to do what you can to help.

• Make a donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank
• Donate food to your local food pantry
• Link those who need help to food assistance by sharing the available resources, starting with our website at RIFoodBank.org/shutdown

“Everything helps – and we are going to need all the help we can get to meet this urgent moment.”

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Providence, RI, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“the Food Bank” or “RI Food Bank”) serves as the central hub for food distribution across its state-wide network of 137 member agencies/food pantries, ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Through donations, federal programs, and community partnerships, the Food Bank works to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger.

The RI Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank │ 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907 │ (401) 942-6325 (main) │ rifoodbank.org

Cherney Brings Nearly Two Decades of Experience in Addressing Food Insecurity

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Community Food Bank today announced Melissa (Sobolik) Cherney, a leader and advocate in hunger relief for nearly two decades, as its next chief executive officer. Cherney succeeds Andrew Schiff, who has retired after 17 years of dedicated service.

Since 2019, Cherney has served first as president and then as chief executive officer of the Great Plains Food Bank, North Dakota’s largest hunger relief organization and its only food bank. There, she led initiatives to expand food access, mobilize legislators, advocate for policy change, and strengthen community partnerships on behalf of the more than 70,000 people served through 200 distribution sites each month.

“From her personal experience to her strong record of advocacy and nonprofit leadership, Melissa is the right leader for this moment as the Rhode Island Community Food Bank navigates uncertainty nationally and unprecedented need locally,” said Jyothi Subramaniam, president of the Board of Directors. “Melissa has the skills and experience necessary to carry out our mission of ensuring that no Rhode Islander goes hungry.”

A native of North Dakota who grew up on her family farm, Cherney’s dedication to ending hunger is deeply personal. As an undergraduate in Minnesota, she struggled with food insecurity. For three months, SNAP benefits helped her make ends meet, and she saw firsthand the difference that these critical supports could make.

“I am incredibly honored to join the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. I look forward to carrying on the work and legacy that Andrew Schiff has built over the years, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders,” said Cherney. “Food insecurity continues to impact far too many families, and I can’t wait to work alongside the amazing food bank team, as well as partners and supporters across the region to address hunger with urgency, compassion, and innovation.”

In addition to her tireless work at the Great Plains Food Bank, Cherney serves on the Food Sourcing Advisory Council and as vice-chair of the Policy Engagement and Advocacy Committee (PEAC) for Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people. Cherney will take over as chair of PEAC on January 1, 2026, and will serve in that role for two years.

Prior to serving as president and CEO at the Great Plains Food Bank, Cherney worked in development, programming, and advocacy roles for the organization, and has years of other nonprofit experience. She was previously elected to and served four years as a City Commissioner on the Fargo City Commission. Cherney is in the process of relocating to Rhode Island and will assume the role in summer 2025, leading the organization through its next chapter of growth and impact.

Boston Globe, January 30, 2025 | The food bank is asking lawmakers to restore a proposed $250,000 cut in Governor McKee’s budget, especially in light of potential federal funding changes

PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Community Food Bank is asking lawmakers to restore a proposed cut to the nonprofit’s funding this year, fearing the rising number of hungry families will grow even more amid uncertainty about federal funding in Washington.

Governor Dan McKee has proposed to give the food bank $550,000 in the upcoming state budget, a 31 percent decrease from last year’s allocation of $800,000.

The food bank serves more than 80,000 people a month through food pantries across the state, up from roughly 50,000 a month before the pandemic, according to Andrew Schiff, the CEO of the food bank.

“If our political leaders see our information about how many people are receiving food assistance in this state, and how that’s grown so much since the pandemic, they would not be cutting us back,” Schiff told the Globe on Thursday.

The majority of the organization’s $17 million operating budget comes from philanthropic donations, Schiff said. The state money is used to purchase food, meaning a cut in funds would decrease the amount of food the bank can purchase.

The 18 million pounds of food given out by the food bank each year is roughly one-third donated, one-third provided by the USDA, and one-third purchased directly by the food bank, Schiff said.

Data from the 2024 Status Report on Hunger found nearly two in five households in Rhode Island have difficulty affording adequate food, also known as food insecurity.

“We are anticipating the threatened cuts from D.C. will lead to more people coming to pantries,” Schiff said.

Schiff said it’s unclear whether the Trump administration’s proposed funding freeze, which prompted chaos and confusion this week, will directly hit the food bank’s federal assistance, which comes in the form of truckloads of food from the USDA.

But if funds are cut to other programs such as free school lunch or other programs that help families, it may push more to need help from the food bank in the coming year.

“We’re very fearful about what’s coming,” Schiff said.

The Trump administration originally said its funding freeze memo, which has now been rescinded, would not impact food stamps.

McKee’s office did not immediately comment Thursday on his budget proposal for the food bank. According to the R.I. House Fiscal Office, McKee also proposed $550,000 last year, but lawmakers added “one-time funding” of $250,000 to bring it up to $800,000 in the final budget, which is the amount the food bank received.

It’s not yet clear if lawmakers will increase McKee’s proposal again this year.

The food bank is hosting a “Food Insecurity Awareness Day” at the State House later Thursday. Schiff said they were grateful to receive state funds at all — including $3 million in COVID relief funds two years ago — but now is not the time to cut.

“We’re just trying to help folks understand that this problem that they’ve addressed has not gotten better,” Schiff said. “If anything, it’s gotten worse.”

The Food Bank’s Kids Cafe program brings healthy evening meals to four after-school programs serving children at risk of hunger. Food Bank chefs and nutrition experts prepare and deliver approximately 400 healthy meals daily, at no cost to our partner sites or to the families they serve.

Last week at the YMCA of Pawtucket, students coming for Kids Cafe got more than a meal. Books Are Wings seeks to provide every child with regular access to literacy through books donated by the community. Through our new partnership with the organization, our team distributed donated books with the meal and fed imaginations too! 

“Both of our programs aim to build a strong foundation for kids’ futures,” said Yesenia Barnier, director of community nutrition at the Food Bank. “We focus on providing equitable resources, and opportunities that empower young people to become their best selves.”

The books were a huge hit at the Pawtucket Y and distributions are planned on a quarterly basis at our other Kids Cafe sites, including the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence, the Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls and the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket.

ANDREW SCHIFF TO LEAVE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK WITH LEGACY OF SERVICE AND COMPASSION

Longtime CEO to Retire from the Organization in 2025

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Community Food Bank announced today that Andrew Schiff, who has served as chief executive officer for more than 17 years, will retire from the organization in 2025. During his impressive tenure, Schiff doubled the amount of food distributed to people in need, with the Food Bank currently serving more than 82,000 Rhode Islanders each month through its network of 147 member agencies.

“Through the recession of 2008, a global pandemic, and this current time of unprecedented need, Andrew has been both a calm and courageous leader,” said Jyothi Subramaniam, president of the Board of Directors. “He leads this organization with a strong vision and approaches the work with humility and compassion. On behalf of the board, our staff, and the many partner organizations that share our vision for a state where no one goes hungry, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Andrew for his many years of service.”

Over his nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership, Schiff has been a fierce advocate alongside community partners for not only improving food security, but for other critical issues impacting the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders, including raising the minimum wage, increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit, and improving access to SNAP, WIC, and school meals. Prior to his work with the Food Bank, he was the assistant director for Project Bread’s The Walk for Hunger.

Schiff, who is looking forward to spending more time with his children and new grandson as he prepares to step back, will remain with the organization into late spring to support the search for and onboarding of a new leader.

“It has been a tremendous honor to lead the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and play a small role in caring and advocating for families who need it most,” said Schiff. “When I first interviewed for this position, I said we needed to have big ideas and a big heart. This organization has both in ample supply, and I am proud to say that we are in a strong position as we look for a new leader with the vision to carry the Food Bank into its next chapter.”

The need for food has increased by 43 percent between 2022 and 2024. According to the latest RI Life Index, nearly one in three households in Rhode Island are food insecure, meaning they cannot meet their basic food needs. This is particularly worrisome for youth in the state, as 38 percent of households with children are food insecure.

In 2023, the Food Bank distributed 18.3 million pounds of food, of which 4.1 million pounds were fresh produce. Increasing the amount of healthy and culturally relevant food, especially fresh produce, has been a top priority for Schiff.

“Families across the nation are struggling to afford healthy food as they juggle high costs of housing, utilities, and other living expenses. Now, perhaps more than ever, organizations like the Rhode Island Community Food Bank are an essential safety net, and leaders like Andrew are at the frontline of providing not just food, but hope, to people in need,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, chief executive officer of Feeding America, a national network of food banks, food pantries, and local meal programs of which the RI Community Food Bank is a member. “Andrew has been a wonderful partner and the loss of his voice at our collective table of advocates will be deeply felt in Rhode Island and nationwide.”

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank Board of Directors expects to begin a national CEO search process later this fall.

This time last year, we announced that our community partner, the Sankofa Initiative of the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, was the recipient of one of Feeding America‘s 10 Food Security Equity Impact Fund grants. Food banks across the nation, including ours, applied for the grant on behalf of organizations addressing root causes of food insecurity in communities of color. We were thrilled to see our nomination for Sankofa qualify for a $500,000 grant over 2 years. 

The Sankofa Initiative is made up of a trio of food and agriculture programs, including community gardens, a community kitchen, and a weekly, seasonal farmers market that has transformed more than 35,000 square feet of blighted properties into opportunity for low-income residents, many of whom are refugees, to grow and sell food. The Initiative creates a self-sustaining cycle of community support:

• Growing culturally relevant food preserves heritage and enriches the neighborhood
• Access to garden plots, kitchen space and education creates economic opportunity for neighbors
• Selling food at the weekly farmers market creates community and provides access to fresh food
• Neighbors in need are empowered to make healthier food choices

In the year since the grant was awarded, Sankofa has been busy! Grant funding has enabled:

• 50 new garden beds to support more local growers
• A second community green house allowing farmers to grow in the off season
• New refrigeration in the community kitchen to support developing food businesses
• Multi-lingual business support for budding local food entrepreneurs, assisting with things like permitting and marketing
• Food vouchers for Sankofa’s farmers market for distribution at local pantries, providing access to healthy food
• Additional staff to manage growing programs

In July, Feeding America invited Sankofa and Food Bank staff to Detroit to share the impact of this exciting grant funding with other grantees We shared the video below to emphasize the impact the Sankofa Initiative has had on its community.