Advocate for Change

Take Action on Hunger

Food Bank Releases 2021 Status Report on Hunger

The Food Bank’s Status Report on Hunger shows that 18 percent of Rhode Island households cannot meet their basic food needs. The risk of hunger is even higher for families with children and among Black and Latinx households. Communities of color were disproportionately harmed by COVID-19, in terms of illness and financial losses, compounding long-standing inequities in health and income.

Download the full report.

Advocate for Low Income Families:

• Congress expanded the Child Tax Credit this year to include families at the bottom of the income ladder who were excluded in the past. By providing an annual, refundable tax credit of $3,000 per child under age 18 ($3,600 per child under age 6), it can significantly reduce child poverty and racial inequities. Call on our Congressional Delegation to make the expanded Child Tax Credit permanent.
• Despite high rates of food insecurity, SNAP enrollment in Rhode Island decreased during the pandemic. We must ensure that critical SNAP benefits reach all eligible families. Urge the Governor to open DHS offices for SNAP applicants, hire more Call Center staff to reduce wait times, and streamline the SNAP application process.
• In 2021, the General Assembly enacted significant legislation that improved workers’ wages, increased income supports for families participating in RI Works, and doubled annual funding for the Food Bank. Please take a moment to thank your state representatives and senators who voted for these important changes.

View previous Status Reports on our Publications page.