BankRI launching food drives to support local pantries

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Each month, 63,000 people are served at Rhode Island Community Food Bank member agencies, a number that’s nearly doubled since 2007. In response, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) will host a seven-week food drive in each of its 19 branches across the state to support local food pantries.

The drive begins on Aug. 1 and runs through Sept. 19, helping pantries fill a vital gap during the late summer when food donations decrease sharply, while the need remains high. Since 2009, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank has experienced a 20-percent decline – approximately 2 million pounds – in the amount of donated food it receives.

This effort also coincides with September as Hunger Action Month, a time when food banks around the country work with community partners, like BankRI, to raise awareness about the issue of hunger.

“We strategically begin our annual food drive in August to help those families and children who no longer have access to summer feeding programs and are still a few weeks away from receiving meals at school during the academic year,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, president and CEO of BankRI. “The Food Bank and its network of member agencies are the lifeline for our most vulnerable neighbors; I have no doubt that our customers and staff will give generously to this important collection.”

For the drive, each BankRI branch has partnered with a food pantry that serves its community, ensuring all of the food collected will remain local to feed area residents. Each food pantry is a member of the Food Bank’s network. The Bank’s branches and benefiting pantries are:

Cranston (Atwood Ave., Park Ave., Plainfield Pike): Comprehensive Community Action

Johnston: Tri-Town Community Action Agency

Warwick (Buttonwoods, Centerville Rd., Warwick Ave.): Westbay Community Action Program

All BankRI locations will have prominently placed food collection bins in their lobbies. Members of the community are encouraged to donate items most-needed by partnering food pantries, including: canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups and stews, pasta, breakfast cereals, brown rice, and proteins such as peanut butter, tuna, and canned and dried beans.

In addition to the food collected, BankRI will provide a $3,900 grant to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank for the acquisition of food on behalf of each partnering food pantry.

To find the BankRI branch closest to you, please visit www.bankrhodeisland.com.

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