North Kingstown Food Pantry
At Centreville Bank we believe that helping to improve the economic security of Rhode Islanders is an important and fundamental investment in our communities.
Our priorities are focused on programs that work to increase the stability for low income individuals and families through wrap-around programs, specifically in the areas that focus on adult education, housing (home ownership and counseling, eviction and homelessness prevention), affordable housing development, financial education and coaching, food insecurity and elderly safety and well-being.
Economic Security Profile: North Kingstown Food Pantry
The Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded a grant to the North Kingstown Food Pantry to fund their Vacation Nutrition Program. The program was created to help families with school children who qualify for free or reduced school breakfast and lunch during the months when the children are not in school.
According to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, food insecurity affects one in eight Rhode Island households and the out-of-school time periods can be even more challenging for families. The Vacation Nutrition Program started four years ago with approximately 60 families when volunteers noticed a significant increase in families coming in to the pantry looking for help during the out-of-school time sessions. Today the program serves hundreds of families, with this year setting a record of 130 families registered and about 250 children in total for the summer.
The summer months are not the only time the pantry works to fill the food gap. The Program runs five times per year including the December break, spring vacation, at the end of the school year, and twice in August. The mission of the program is to ensure that families have enough food when children are home, so they don’t have to worry and stress about how to fill the gap.
“This Program is made possible because of the generosity from Centreville Bank and we are so grateful to be a recipient of the Foundation’s investments." says Nancy Champagne, Program Coordinator. "With this support we can strategically plan for this period of need and provide families with healthy food during a time that can be so stressful.”
In addition to the Vacation Nutrition Program, the food pantry is led by over 70 core volunteers who make sure the pantry is ready to serve families five times per week and on the last Saturday of the month.
Centreville Bank and the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation are proud to support the North Kingstown Food Pantry and the work they do to help local families in need.