The Food Bank’s community outreach team works throughout Rhode Island to connect guests with the resources they need to improve their lives. From helping potential applicants fill out their SNAP application, to finding heating, rental or even legal assistance, our team is a valued resource in the community.
And during this fall’s federal government shutdown and delay in SNAP benefits, the team was critical in providing information and support during a tumultuous time. We caught up with the team and asked for their thoughts on what they were seeing during the shutdown and how their team collaborated to meet the moment.
Lihna Agostini, Director of Community Outreach –
“The government shutdown crisis left many with limited resources, straining our local food pantries. It highlighted the importance of government programs, the need for backup plans, and the power of community support for those in need.”
Wilson Flores, Community Outreach Coordinator –
“Our team collaborated closely with member agencies and community partners to keep everyone informed about changes to SNAP. We also connected families with additional resources and services to support them through this challenging period.”
Jailine Ortiz, Community Outreach Coordinator –
“During the shutdown, I spoke to several seniors who were really scared. Many were in tears because they were already experiencing hardship and now, they were wondering how they were going to stretch their tight budgets to put food on the table.”
Miguel Sanchez, Community Outreach Coordinator –
“People were really concerned about access to food, and they were starting to panic because there was no end in sight. They were asking questions like, who can help me? Where can I get food? When will benefits resume?”
