SNAP Has Been Suspended. Our Neighbors Need Your Help.
NOTE: On Friday, two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to continue funding for SNAP during the government shutdown. Even with this court ruling, SNAP benefits will not be loaded on recipients’ EBT cards on Saturday. We continue to follow this evolving situation closely.
Today, nearly 143,000 Rhode Islanders are waking up with a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Because starting today, SNAP benefits are no longer accessible to those 143,000 Rhode Islanders – or 42 million Americans like them nationwide.
Though SNAP benefits amount to just $6.69 a day, that safety net is essential for tens of thousands of people in our community. It is the difference between putting food on the table and going hungry, meaning that more people may go to bed hungry tonight than last night.
What will that mean tomorrow? The next day? Next week?
Unless and until the government shutdown ends, SNAP benefits are shut off at the same time that Rhode Islanders face high food and housing costs and less food on pantry shelves. For furloughed government workers not receiving paychecks, the situation is even more dire.
We need your help.
Here are three ways you can make a difference:
- Make a financial donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. How many days of food assistance can you cover for a neighbor in need? $6.69 covers one day for one person, and $47 covers a week. $27 covers one day for a family of four, $187 covers one week, and $802 covers one month for that family.
- Donate food to your local food pantry. (Find your nearest pantry here!)
- Spread the word. Share important resources (like the Get Help page on our website) and post on social media about your contributions in action. Tag us on social media @RIFoodBank.
Too many people in our community are hungry, and many more are at risk. Let’s show them that they aren’t alone, and do what we can in our families, our churches, our places of employment. Let’s do some good, together.
With gratitude,
Melissa Cherney
Chief Executive Officer
Op-Ed: SNAP Shutdown Putting 143,000 Rhode Islanders at Risk
By Melissa Cherney | October 30, 2025 | Providence Journal
Do you have enough food for the week? How about just today?
Too many Rhode Islanders are waking up unsure of the answer.
These are your friends and neighbors, family members and coworkers, many of whom work full time, to make ends meet at a moment when the cost of living is increasingly untenable. Housing prices have skyrocketed and so have food costs, medication, and utilities.
Printable Resource: How to Help
Over the last week, we’ve been overwhelmed by the outreach from caring Rhode Islanders who want to help their neighbors during this difficult time. If you want to help spread the word about how to support the Food Bank, download our shareable one-pager. You can print and post out in the community, or share on your social media platforms. Together, we can make a difference!
Founded in 1982, 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, 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︱rifoodbank.org︱(401) 942-6325︱200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907︱contactus@rifoodbank.org
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