CHRISTINA PITNEY, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s senior vice president of government programs, has been elected as the new board president for Meals on Wheels of RI Inc. Pitney, who was elected on June 12 and will serve as board president through 2026, has been a board member since 2021 and was most recently its treasurer. Pitney in a statement said that in year two of Meals on Wheels’ strategic plan, the organization is doing “more than we ever have” to meet its clients’ nutritional and social needs so they can “maintain safe and independent lifestyles.” Pitney is also a past Providence Business News Business Women Award and 40 Under Forty honoree.
What drew your interest to serving on the Meals on Wheels board? I have always been passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious and affordable food. My grandfather received Meals on Wheels shortly after the passing of my grandmother, and I remember the joy that daily visit brought to him, in addition to the relief our family felt knowing he was getting the nutrition he needed. That’s why I am so honored to serve as the next board president of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, which delivers meals and companionship to those who need it most.
What are your goals for Meals on Wheels as board president? I am honored to provide volunteer leadership to an organization with a distinguished 55-year legacy of supporting at-risk Rhode Island residents in maintaining safe and independent living through a “food is medicine” lens. The 2025 Strategic Plan marks a pivotal period in the organization’s history as the team expands and innovates its programs. I am eager to continue to support the organization’s progress in this vital space, ensuring that every initiative we undertake enhances the well-being of those we serve.
Is the demand for food delivery services still high since the end of the pandemic? If so, how is Meals on Wheels meeting that demand? Yes. The pandemic underscored the urgency of reaching more Rhode Island residents vulnerable to food insecurity, both before and during the crisis. The Meals on Wheels team is proud to have elevated its work to meet that need through strategic innovation that has extended the organization’s reach. This work includes scaling the organization’s model to serve new client populations and expanding its philanthropic partnerships to ensure service continuity.
Where do you see growth opportunities for the organization? The 2025 Strategic Plan has guided the team at Meals on Wheels to serve Rhode Islanders beyond our traditional client base. A key area of growth opportunity is in extending the organization’s maternal health equity work, providing perinatal women and their families increased access to nutritional and supporting services as they care for their new families. The team is also focused on increasing community health worker services that are helping clients navigate community, health and social services to ensure equitable access to healthy lives.
