PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is in desperate need of supplies with many of their shelves empty.
They say the demand for food has grown since the pandemic with donations needed now more than ever.
From July 2023 to June 2024, the Food Bank distributed 18.3 million pounds of food, which is up from 16.2 million pounds the previous year.
Shelves are empty in the Food Bank’s warehouse as food is quickly distributed to member food pantries, which are experiencing high numbers and long lines.
“We need the public to be aware that it’s their donations that help us keep our shelves stocked and provide a reliable source of healthy, culturally relevant food to our pantries and meal sites so that no one is turned away,” Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff said.
The East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) is among the pantries, meal sites and senior programs that receive food from the Food Bank.
“It’s an absolutely unprecedented time coming off a global pandemic where we talk about being in the recovery phase. The reality is, many Rhode Islanders have not recovered,” EBCAP President and Executive Officer Rilwan K. Feyisitan, Jr. said.