40 Rhode Island nonprofits receive grants from Bank Rhode Island (BankRI)

Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) has awarded $100,725 in charitable grants to local nonprofits. In total, forty organizations throughout the state have received funding to support community programs that provide basic needs assistance, education to youth, workforce development, summer camp scholarships, health and wellness services, and more.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is among the grant recipients, receiving $2,500 for its food pantry located at its Veteran Service Center headquarters in Johnston. The pantry is open monthly to all Rhode Island veterans in need and their families, and is a vital resource for social workers at the Providence VA Medical Center who pick up food and toiletries and deliver them to veterans unable to leave their home.

Right now, the pantry is helping 25 percent more veterans than one year ago, averaging nearly twenty veteran household visits each week – many who find themselves seeking assistance for the first time. As the level of need has grown, Operation Stand Down has been challenged to keep the shelves of its pantry stocked. They will use its BankRI grant to purchase additional food.

“We’ve created an environment where veterans can access multiple layers of assistance, and food is the most basic need that we all share. It can be extremely difficult to feed your family on a fixed income or when you’re unable to work due to challenges from having served your country,” said Erik Wallin, Executive Director of OSDRI. “Our pantry offers an extra ‘hand up’ for veterans and support like BankRI’s is critical. While the image of a veteran most people have is an older individual wearing a VFW hat, mine is of those who pull up to our center with a car seat in their vehicle and an eviction notice in their hand.”

“Rhode Island’s nonprofits are the backbone of our communities, and their mission driven work makes a significant impact in the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors every day,” said Will Tsonos, BankRI’s President and CEO. “These organizations rely heavily on philanthropic support to deliver their programs and services, and helping to fund that work is a priority for BankRI.”

The complete list of organizations awarded a BankRI grant is as follows:

• Angels’ Care Closet
• Art Connection
• Beacon Charter Schools
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
• Capital Good Fund
• Children’s Friend
• City of Pawtucket
• College Visions
• Community Boating Center
• Community Care Alliance
• David Louis Cunha Foundation
• East Bay Community Action Program
• Empowerment Factory
• Everett Company Stage School
• Farm Fresh Rhode Island
• Genesis Center
• GFWC Women’s Club of South County
• Higher Ground International
• Highlander Charter School
• Inspiring Minds
• John E. Fogarty Foundation
• Learning Community
• MAE Organization
• Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Operation Stand Down RI
• Paul Cuffee School
• Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation
• Rhode Island Write on Sports
• RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation
• Sojourner House
• Special Olympics Rhode Island
• South Kingstown Land Trust
• Star Kids Scholarship Program
• St. Philip’s Church Corp.
• Thundermist Health Center
• Trinity Repertory Company
• We Share Hope – Hope Market
• West Bay RI
• Wolf School