BankRI Kicks Off Food Drive at all Branches Statewide

PROVIDENCE, RI — With food insecurity continuing to rise across the Ocean State, Bank Rhode Island started its annual summer food drive. Beginning Monday and continuing through Aug. 15, all 22 BankRI branches will collect donations of nonperishable food items to help local families.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank reports serving more than 89,000 people each month — an all-time high driven by the high cost of essential items and increasing demand at food pantries across the state, according to a media release.

“No one in our community should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” Will Tsonos, president and CEO of BankRI, said in the release.

“The unprecedented need right now is extremely troubling, and it calls on all of us who are able to act," Tsonos said. "By opening our branches as food collection sites, we hope to make it easier for people to give and to help ensure Rhode Islanders have the support they need.”

For BankRI’s summer food drive, each branch has partnered with a local food pantry so donated food stays in the community where it’s collected, helping residents put meals on the table. Each branch features collection bins in their lobby to accept donations of nonperishable food. Among the items most needed are peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, nutritious breakfast cereals, rice, canned chili, soups and stews, pasta, tomato sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, and macaroni and cheese.

A total of 13 food pantries have partnered with BankRI and will benefit from the five-week food collection and the generosity of their local community.

“We’re so grateful for BankRI’s support of the Food Bank,” Kate MacDonald, Director of Communications for RI Community Food Bank, said in the release.

“We’re currently serving more people each month than ever before," MacDonald said. "It is only through the generosity of loyal partners and supporters like BankRI that we can address the staggering need for food assistance in Rhode Island.”

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