According to the Food Bank’s 2023 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island, 38% of households with at least one child don’t have adequate food to feed their families. The Food Bank has programs in place to help ensure kids are getting the nutrition they need.
Healthy Habits: Eating Well on a Budget brings practical, science-based nutrition education to guests at our member agencies, helping them to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. Healthy Habits’ preschool curriculum focuses on trying new foods with class mascot, ‘Lana the Iguana,’ while older kids learn practical kitchen skills and how to build life-long healthy habits.
“Healthy Habits is an amazing program that I’ll continue to utilize every year. My students love it and find it fun and engaging. With childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise, it is important for the kids to learn at a young age what is healthy for them.” -Lonna Razza, Oakland Beach Elementary School
Kids Cafe provides healthy evening meals to children at risk of hunger at four after-school programs, including the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence, the Pawtucket YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket and Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls. Over the last year, these sites have seen an increase in the number of meals served, with Kids Cafe providing between 400–500 meals daily.
“The resource the Food Bank provides to our families through Kids Cafe is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to not only get a nutritious meal, but to try new foods they wouldn’t otherwise.” -Zach Handleman, Childcare Director, Camp Director at the East Providence Boys & Girls Club
Meals4Kids Boxes provide five healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks including things like boxed macaroni and cheese, soups, cereals, oatmeal and milk. These boxes help fill the gaps during times when students are not receiving school meals, ensuring year-round nutrition. Our agencies love to have the boxes on hand.
“Healthy food is a right — not a privilege — for every child. These boxes are meeting the need of every child we serve.” – Jackie Reyes, Olneyville Food Center
