More than most in Rhode Island, Hope & Main Founder and President, Lisa Raiola, has experienced first-hand the drastic increase in need for food assistance programming since the pandemic. Their Nourish Our Neighbors program has shown one inventive way to get food to people who need it.
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WAKEFIELD â Seeing an opportunity to expand its philanthropic efforts beyond Washington County, the Rotary Club of Wakefield recently made a large donation of food products to assist hungry families in Providence. The group sponsored the purchase of nutritious food supplements from Edesia, a North Kingstown-based nonprofit organization that seeks to combat malnutrition.
When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the club decided to assist in fighting hunger as its main annual charitable project, donating funds and materials locally to the Jonnycake Center food pantry, the Domestic Violence Resource Center and Westerlyâs Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need.
âBut this is Rhode Island, and everyone seems connected, somehow,â said Nancy Kleniewski, a rotary club member. âThrough a friend of a friend of a friend, the club received a special request that opened the door to a new relationship.â
Conditions were hardly ideal for a celebration last Saturday, with dark skies and heavy rains looming over southern Rhode Island and many local annual holiday events on hold due to a rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the region.
It simply wasn t enough to stop first responders and volunteers from coming together to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Matthew s Wish with a special, socially distanced cruiser convoy and toy parade that spanned from the University of Rhode Island to the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need in Charlestown as a way of helping underprivileged children this holiday season. It was amazing to see, and it was a fitting way to recognize Matthew (Thayer) for his efforts, said Richmond Police Chief Elwood Johnson, a member of the board of trustees for Matthew s Wish. The symbolism is huge. To see so many people come out to support him, to see his infectious smile and spirit, it was inspiring.