BankNewport Grants Served Food Insecurity Needs Throughout Rhode Island

NEWPORT, R.I – November 8, 2023 – Grants extended by BankNewport this past spring helped support various nonprofit organizations during the summer and early fall months to serve those facing food insecurity in communities around Rhode Island. Grants included $10,000 to Meals on Wheels Rhode Island in Providence; $10,000 to FabNewport in Newport; $10,000 to Hope & Main in Warren; $7,000 to East Bay Food Pantry in Bristol; $5,000 to the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust in Cranston, and $5,000 to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Joseph’s Conference, Newport.

“BankNewport’s commitment to Rhode Island is rooted in its unwavering dedication to those who champion the causes that are most important to our neighbors,” said Jack Murphy, President & CEO. “We take immense pride in our active role within Rhode Island’s nonprofit community, where resolute individuals tirelessly and selflessly care for those in need. It’s a great honor to be a part of this collective effort.”

The Bank’s $10,000 grant to Meals on Wheels Rhode Island supported its meal delivery program. Dedicated to tackling the challenges of food insecurity and social isolation, both of which pose threats to the well-being of homebound seniors, the program utilizes their “More Than A Meal” service model to simultaneously address food insecurity and social isolation which are leading factors for loss of independence amongst home bound older adults.

“BankNewport’s support is an integral part of our ability to help homebound older adults across the state maintain independent lifestyles,” said MOWRI Executive Director Meghan Grady. “We are humbled to be among this year’s grant recipients.”

Other BankNewport grants in support of alleviating hunger:

A $10,000 grant to FabNewport provided nutritious meals for student campers during the “Newport Experience” summer program, which serves primarily BIPOC Newport public school youth sages 12-18 years of age.

A $10,000 grant to Hope & Main expanded their Nourish Our Neighbors” program to new community partner sites in Providence, to enhance access to supplemental food assistance to vulnerable populations in Providence, while supporting the local food economy.

A $7,000 grant to the East Bay Food Pantry for their hunger relief programs and source personal care supplies for low-income East Bay children, adults and seniors served by the pantry, currently supporting 2,035 individuals facing food insecurity within 1,006 households—a 13% rise from the preceding year.

A $5,000 grant to the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust for their Indigenous Roots Forever food access program, to build backyard gardens for Indigenous families and train the families in caring for those gardens using traditional practices.

A $5,000 grant to the St. Vincent DePaul Society St. Joseph Conference Newport helped fund Emergency Financial Assistance for individuals and families facing emergencies, including eviction, homelessness, utility shutoff, lack of home heating oil, need of prescriptions, medical expenses, and clothing.

Meals on Wheels Rhode Island Photo Caption (from left to right):

Wetherley Hundley, Volunteer Coordinator, Meals on Wheels Rhode Island; Shana DeFelice, Programs & Mission Impact Director, Meals on Wheels Rhode Island; Meredith Cropper, Community Relations Specialist/Officer, BankNewport; Meghan Grady, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Rhode Island; and Keren Dela Cruz, Finance Coordinator, Meals on Wheels Rhode Island.