Community Focus: RI Community Food Bank
by Kayla Fish
Originally aired 9/18/26 on WPRI 12 & published on WPRI.com
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It’s been about a year since Melissa Cherney took over as CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Cherney joined 12 News at 4 Friday to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future.
She also mentioned that September is Hunger Action Month, which is an annual awareness campaign that encourages everyone to join in the fight against food insecurity.
Founded in 1982, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger. The Food Bank serves as the central food distribution hub across a statewide network of 140 member agencies. Through donations, federal programs, and community partnerships, in 2026, the Food Bank distributed over 18.2 million pounds of food, 4.7 million pounds of which was fresh produce. The RI Community Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
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