Community Collaboration Feeds 5,000!

Statistics at EBFP reflect the continued economic challenges experienced by our nation, state, and East Bay region.  The RI Community Food Bank reports that state-wide food pantry usage is up by 58% in four years and that member agencies are currently providing food for 66,000 Rhode Islanders.  EBFP’s food service numbers have increased by 19% over the past year and 5,000 East Bay residents now receive food support at our pantry.  Our fervent hope is that 2013 will bring improved economic conditions for our clients and their families and all those in need across our state.

The East Bay community continues to meet the challenge of providing for the ever-growing number of EBFP client households and fortunately that responsibility is shared by an increasing number of organizations, businesses, families, and individuals.  Our 2012 Annual Appeal shows a 15% increase in total donations and the number of donors grew by 21% over the prior year.  We are grateful that more and more people are hearing our message and embracing our mission.  We continue to share the story of our crucial work with the goal of raising awareness of EBFP across the entire East Bay region.

Our Access Nutrition Initiative continues to shape and improve our programs.  Empowered with nutrition training, our pantry volunteers consistently share the importance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high quality protein and dairy with our clients during their monthly pantry visits.  These highly nutritious target foods are available consistently, all through the year, so that clients always have the option to select healthy foods in our pantry.  The growing and harvest seasons brought us fresh produce from individual growers and local farms, including over 2000 lbs. from Magaziner Farm and over 1000 lbs from Blithewold.  In addition, Farm Fresh RI donated almost 500 lbs. of fresh produce contributed by member farms, We Share Hope donated over 600 lbs. of produce from local organizations and we received nearly 40,000 lbs. of fresh produce from the RI Community Food Bank during 2012.

Our newest Access Nutrition program, Food4Kids, launched in June 2012 and is designed to meet the nutrition needs of school-aged children during vacations and weekends. Families who are eligible for the Free or Reduced Lunch/Breakfast program at school registered for our pilot 10 week summer program.  Each participating child received enough food for 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 snacks – plus milk every week.  A total of 32 families representing 57 children were served at an average weekly cost of $275 during Summer Food4Kids.  The success of the summer program inspired the launch of Weekend Food4Kids at Colt Andrews Elementary school in October 2012 which serves around 70 children with healthy food every weekend.  Food4Kids is popular with client families, children and the community and we are excited to continue Food4Kids with improvements inspired by participant and school feedback.

We are grateful for the talent and commitment of our board, staff, and fabulous volunteers and appreciate the many ways each and every one of you bring our mission to life – our combined efforts have provided the provisions for 509,880 meals since we opened our doors in August 2009!  We literally could not provide the depth and quality of services to our clients without the astounding dedication of our volunteers in giving nearly 10,000 hours of service to EBFP in 2012.  What a celebration – let’s keep up the great work together!