To the editor:
I want to thank everyone in the community for supporting the Rhode Island Community Food bank throughout the year, and particularly during the holiday season. Your funds and food drives, volunteerism and increased advocacy on behalf of those who need a helping hand are making a big difference in many lives. Most recently, the Food Bank held a Turkey Drive, setting a goal of obtaining 10,000 turkeys for distribution to needy families this Thanksgiving. And while the election confusion seemed to take a lot of attention away from our immediate urgency, local media carried the message to the public, who, once again, came to our aid. We reached our goal, and with your contributions helped make this a happier Thanksgiving for our less fortunate neighbors.
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In October the Nar-ragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America lent their energy to the annual Scouting for Food Drive, one of our two largest food drives of the year. And with assistance from many volunteers, businesses, media (particularly WPRI Channel 12) the Rhode Island National Guard, and area fire stations, and donations of non-perishable food items from thousands of Rhode Islanders, we collected 243,000 pounds of food. It was one of our most successful drives.
But the battle for hunger doesn’t begin or end with the holidays–it is an often unseen everyday struggle for a large number of children and adults. And while it is difficult for some to understand why the Food Bank is assisting an increasing number of people during an unprecedented time of prosperity in our country, the reality is that despite low unemployment, nearly 24 percent of the jobs in our state pay below poverty wages. In addition, we have one of the highest housing costs in the country, and rising heating fuel costs are threatening to consume a much bigger portion of our incomes.
In a time when so many are doing so well, we thank all of you who have chosen to help others by providing food–a basic need that is one of the first things people sacrifice when trying to stretch their low incomes. The spirit of giving is alive and well in Rhode Island. Thank you for your generosity and commitment as we fight to end hunger every day.
Bernie Beaudreau,
Executive director
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
