Selfless commitment to others is more than an aspiration for Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank – it’s his job.
Every day since joining the food bank in 2007 he’s gone to work committed to achieving what most would consider impossible – eliminating hunger in a state of 1.1 million people.
“No adult, no senior, no child should ever face hunger in this state,” he says in a food bank video explaining the purpose of the organization, which serves a network of nonprofit agencies and food pantries.
The need was exacerbated during the pandemic by a record number of layoffs statewide and a dearth of volunteers during the early months of COVID-19. Yet Schiff led an effort that distributed a record 15.1 million pounds of food in the 2021 fiscal year – 3.5 million pounds more than in 2019.
Schiff, who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, has deftly built a growing list of approximately 300 corporate donors, along with countless individual contributors. But no matter how generous donors are in any given year, more is needed.
“With donations from the public,” he told PBN in 2017, “you have to try to inspire thousands of people to give to your organization.”
He also works tirelessly to keep lawmakers plugged in to the demand and importance of state funding. His annual lobbying includes a well-timed Thanksgiving report sent to each state senator and House member, outlining the need.
