I’ve only lived in Rhode Island for a short time, but it didn’t take long for me to understand something essential about this place: When Rhode Islanders see a neighbor in need, they show up. They do it quietly, consistently and with a sense of shared responsibility that feels rare in today’s world.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport embodies that spirit. For more than a century, the MLK Center has been a place where community isn’t just talked about, it is lived. Today, their programs reach thousands of Newport County residents through hunger relief, education, wellness programs and opportunities to connect. That breadth of work matters, especially now, when so many families are navigating a “perfect storm” of high housing costs, rising food prices and cuts to critical federal supports like SNAP.
As someone who relied on SNAP myself as a college student, I know how life-changing this support can be and how devastating it is when it falls short. I worked two jobs, couldn’t afford the meal plan, and often counted on a shift in the campus catering department to get dinner. SNAP helped me stay afloat during those months when every dollar mattered. It’s why I believe so deeply in the importance of organizations like the MLK Center and why I’m proud to lead the Rhode Island Community Food Bank as we work alongside them…