BankRI to host statewide food drive, issues $10K matching gift to RI Community Food Bank

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Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) is set to host its annual food drive in support of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network of emergency food programs.

Through Aug. 20, each of the bank’s 20 branches statewide will collect nonperishable food items to benefit their local food pantry. During the six-week effort, BankRI will also match all donations made to the Food Bank, up to a total of $10,000. The match includes gifts made online through the Food Bank’s secure website.

“One of the biggest challenges Rhode Islanders currently face is having enough food to feed their families – more than 60,000 of our neighbors turn to the Food Bank and to local pantries for help each month,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, president and CEO of BankRI. “Every donation to our drive will help put food on a family’s table at a time they need it most. We invite everyone to participate and to give what they can.”

For the drive, all BankRI branches will feature collection bins in their lobbies for donations of nonperishable food items. Each branch has partnered with a pantry that serves its community to ensure food collected at that branch stays local to feed area residents. The 15 community-based pantries, each a member of the Food Bank’s network, will also receive a $1,000 grant for additional food acquisition. In total, BankRI is committing $25,000 this summer to alleviate hunger across the state.

BankRI’s matching gift challenge on behalf of the Food Bank is aimed at helping the organization increase donations earmarked for purchasing additional food. Thanks to its ability to buy food in bulk, every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps to acquire three meals. After distributing a record 13.8 million pounds of food in 2020, the Food Bank is on pace to top 16 million pounds this year.

“BankRI’s support comes at a critical time for Rhode Islanders in need,” said Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “Even as our economy reopens, there are tens of thousands of our neighbors struggling with food insecurity. This contribution of food and funds will help ensure no one goes hungry.”

Foods most needed by pantries include peanut butter, nutritious breakfast cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed macaroni and cheese, whole wheat pasta, and tomato sauce.

To make a donation of nonperishable food at a BankRI branch, locations and their hours can be found at BankRI.com/locations.

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