Since 1988, the R.I. National Guard’s 1207 Transportation Division has assisted the annual Scouting for Food drive, collecting nonperishable foods from 38 fire stations across the state and hauling it to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
This year, however, the division’s members have been deployed to Iraq. The Food Bank’s best wishes, thoughts and appreciation go with them, the nonprofit said in a news release.
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But the mobilization has left the Food Bank scrambling to find licensed drivers to assist with the last stage of the collection in its fast-approaching 19th Annual Scouting for Food.
“Scouting for Food is one of our most important initiatives each year,” said Rosie Connors, the R.I. Community Food Bank’s interim executive director. “We have empty shelves here at the Food Bank.”
The Scouting for Food Drive regularly brings in more than 200,000 pounds of food for the nonprofit R.I. Community Food Bank (www.rifoodbank.org), for distribution to its network of about 400 member agencies across the state. In the past fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed a record 8.4 million pounds of food.
“The role that the National Guard has provided in years past has been vital,” Connors said. “We face an uphill battle in replacing their efforts, but have a great start.”
Through its relationship with Ocean State Job Lot, the Food Bank’s largest donor, the nonprofit has received offers to provide trailers and drivers from Job Lot transportation partners AJ Transportation, Quonset Transportation, M&D Transportation and EMAC. Stop & Shop supermarkets has agreed to donate the use of three trailers, and Shaw’s has offered the use of two trailers a cab and a driver.
But trained, licensed truck drivers still are needed, the Food Bank says, and unless additional trucks and trailers are volunteered, the agency may need to use some of its scarce budget to rent vehicles. For information or to volunteer, call Bruce Zarembka at 942-6325, ext. 223.
“We are depending on the generosity of the community,” Connors said.
