BankRI Food Drive NOW at all branches

Food collected in each branch will remain local to help residents in that community

High food and housing costs continue to drive new levels of hunger in the Ocean State. Right now, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is serving a record number of people through its member agency food pantries – more than 80,000 per month.

To help those facing hunger, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) is hosting their six-week food drive at all 22 of its branches. The drive began Monday, July 15 and runs until Friday, August 16. Each branch has partnered with a local food pantry to ensure the food collected remains in its community to feed area residents.

“The fact that the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network are seeing the largest number of people ever is extremely troubling,” said Will Tsonos, BankRI’s President and CEO. “Hunger affects our families, friends, and neighbors, and through our drive, we hope to help as many people as possible. Every donation, every canned and boxed good makes a difference.”

Throughout BankRI’s summer food drive, each branch features collection bins in their lobbies to accept donations of nonperishable food items. Among the foods needed most by pantries are canned soups and stews, pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned fish and meat, rice (Jasmine, yellow, basmati, white and brown), canned tomato products, nut and seed butters, canned fruits and vegetables, and breakfast cereal. The Food Bank also needs culturally relevant foods like masa corn flour, dried black, kidney, and fava beans, sofrito, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Donations of sauces and spices must be in plastic bottles or cans; glass cannot be accepted.

A total of 14 food pantries have partnered with BankRI and will benefit from the multi-week food collection, receiving donations made directly in their local community. All the pantries are members of the Food Bank’s network of member agencies.

“The Food Bank is so grateful to have the support of BankRI in its Summer Food Drive,” said Lisa Roth Blackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer. “Over the years, this partnership has helped us get vital nutrition into the hands of the families and individuals who need it most.”

For a list of BankRI branches, their address and hours of operation, visit BankRI.com/locations.