Rhode Island Community Food Bank

08/27/2026

Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but that may be our biggest advantage in the fight against food insecurity, said RI Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney. The Reminder Johnston Sun Rise Warwick Beacon Cranston Herald

The past year put that theory to the test. When the federal government shutdown triggered the largest SNAP disruption the nation and state have ever seen, Rhode Islanders stepped up to help – demonstrating exactly what it is that makes the smallest state in the union uniquely positioned for good.

Pictured 📸 : RI Food Bank CEO, Melissa Cherney, and Westbay Community Action CEO, Paul Salera.

Read the full feature.

08/25/2026

Shopping for a new (or new-to-you) vehicle? 🚗 If you're not getting the trade-in value you want, consider putting your old wheels to work for the Food Bank.

Our easy-to-use online system walks you through all the details, from scheduling your free pickup to sending you the information you'll need for tax season.

Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, construction or farm equipment of any age, in any condition, can be given new life through this eco-friendly donation method. ♻️🚜

With the funds we receive from the sale of your vehicle, we can provide healthy, culturally-familiar food to Rhode Islanders.

Learn more or start the process securely on our website: https://rifoodbank.org/donate-your-car/

08/23/2026

August in Rhode Island means school buses are back on the roads, the ocean is finally warm, and the full bounty of our local farms is ripe for the picking. 🚌

This week, the Food Bank's warehouse welcomed tomatoes gleaned from Farm Fresh Rhode Island's Hope's Harvest program, peppers from Confreda Greenhouses & Farms, and eggplant and yellow & green squash generously donated from The Farmer's Garden in Rehoboth. 🍅🫑🍆

🚚💨 This rainbow of summertime bounty was then loaded onto our trucks bound for our statewide network of 140 member agencies, nourishing our neighbors and making their plates a little brighter.

08/14/2026

Being community-centric is chic. 💁‍♀️

Image text:
kinda chic to feed hundreds of kids meals from scratch every day
kinda chic to destigmatize asking for help sometimes
kinda chic to volunteer in your community
kinda chic to ensure neighbors have access to SNAP benefits
kinda chic to host a food drive
kinda chic to provide fresh produce to neighbors free of charge
kinda chic to fundraise to feed neighbors
kinda chic to provide accessible nutrition education around the state
kinda chic to advocate for local food policy
kinda chic to ensure seniors have access to adequate nutrition
kinda chic to work for RI's largest hunger organization

08/13/2026

Back to school season is upon us, but there are still plenty of beach days left. 🍎 To help you prepare, our Community Outreach team has put together a helpful, comprehensive guide of Back-to-School resources for the month of August, prepared in both English and Spanish. 🎒 The guide features local and statewide resources for families preparing to send their kiddos back to school in a few short weeks, including free school supply distributions, education resources, free or reduced school lunch, and more.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank's Community Outreach team regularly compiles vetted, reliable community resources for distribution to the public, our member agencies, and partner organizations.

📋 Feel free to use this helpful guide as a resource and distribute however you see fit.

To view or download, visit our Community Resources webpage (🔗⤵️).

Resources include:
✏️ The annual RI Back to School celebration, which distributes free school supplies on a first come, first served basis, taking place across the state on August 15 from 10 AM – 1 PM (see 2nd & 3rd pics for locations);
✏️ The Arc of Bristol County's annual backpack distribution and resource fair, taking place on August 20 from 11 AM – 2:30 PM at The imPOSSIBLE Dream in Warwick;
✏️ Child & Family;
✏️ BrightStars;
✏️ RI DHS' Head Start program;
✏️ Onward We Learn college preparedness;
✏️ tutoring/mentoring offered by Inspiring Minds;
✏️ facilitated IEP/504 (education accommodations) meetings via the RI Department of Education;
✏️ free or reduced school lunch via the National School Lunch Program / RI Department of Education;
✏️ and resources on neurodevelopmental conditions, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

08/06/2026

Just over one year ago, Melissa Cherney – a North Dakota native – took a leap of faith by moving to Rhode Island to step into the role of CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Over the past year, she often told the story of how her first impression of the Ocean State was cemented by Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport - PVD volunteer Piano Man Meteorologist Ron Trotta, who was playing the piano (as he often does) well into the wee hours of the morning.

We knew how much this taste of what makes lil Rhody s🎉🎉🎉pecial stayed with Melissa, so in honor of her 1-year anniversary, we invited the legend himself to the Food Bank for a special surprise. 🎉 Elly McGuire

08/05/2026

Last call! Join us tomorrow, Thursday, August 6th from 5-7:30 PM at Harbor Lights' Drift Bar in Warwick for Guest Bartender Night benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Behind the bar: CEO Melissa Cherney and Director of Facilities Gary Ivone. 🫙 All bar tips support neighbors facing food insecurity across Rhode Island.

Bidding also closes tomorrow on our online auction, courtesy of Harbor Lights and Hampton Water Rosé: a signed Jon Bon Jovi electric guitar, with proceeds benefiting the Food Bank's statewide hunger relief work. 🎸 Bon Jovi

Can't make it in person? You can still bid. Details and auction link below.
https://rifoodbank.org/harbor-lights-guest-bartender-night

08/05/2026

The RI Food Bank will be closed on Monday, August 10th and will reopen for regularly scheduled operations on Tuesday, August 11th.

If you need immediate assistance during this time, please dial United Way of Rhode Island's 2-1-1 hotline.

08/04/2026

One year ago today, Melissa Cherney walked through the doors of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank as CEO for the first time. Since then, she's traveled the state, gotten to know our member agencies, and witnessed how Rhode Islanders show up for their neighbors every single day.

Melissa calls the last year "unpredictable," especially in November, when we served an all-time high of 102,000 people during the SNAP benefits pause. But she continues to believe that if any state can solve hunger, it's Rhode Island.

Watch Melissa's reflection on her first year and what's ahead.

07/30/2026

RICFB Guest Bartender Night at Harbor Lights, in collaboration with Hampton Water Rosé, is just 1 week away! Mark your calendar, and be sure to place your bids on a piece of rock 'n roll history - a signed Jon Bon Jovi electric guitar, all to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank! Auction closes in just 7 days.

Get all the details: https://rifoodbank.org/harbor-lights-guest-bartender-night/

Raise a glass and make a difference! 🍹

Join us on Thursday, August 6th from 5-7:30 PM at Harbor Lights' Drift Bar in Warwick for a Celebrity Guest Bartending Night benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank!

Behind the bar: our very own CEO, Melissa Cherney (marking her first year at the helm!), and our Director of Facilities, Gary Ivone. 🫙 All bar tips during the event support neighbors facing food insecurity across RI.

Enjoy ocean views at Drift Bar, have a chance at door prizes and giveaways, and grab a bite from the food truck (open until 8 PM). Rain or shine, this is a night you won't want to miss.

🎸 PLUS: A special online auction, courtesy of Harbor Lights and Hampton Water Rosé, is open NOW: you can win a signed Jon Bon Jovi electric guitar, with all proceeds benefiting the Food Bank's statewide hunger relief work! 🎸 Bidding closes 8/26 at 7 PM. You do not need to be present to win, but if you are, you can take it home that night or arrange pickup afterward. Whether or not you can make it in person, you can still bid on this piece of rock 'n roll history. Bon Jovi

We'll see you there. Details and auction ⬇️