PROVIDENCE – Last fiscal year saw record numbers of food distributed by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and the need for food within the community.
The food distribution nonprofit on Aug. 2 said that it distributed 18.3 million pounds of food during its 2024 fiscal year. That is a 13% increase from the 16.2 million pounds of food the food bank put forth to the community in 2023.
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Additionally, the food bank said it served an average of 82,600 people per month over the last 12 months. That figure, the food bank said, is 15% higher year over year and 50% more people served than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff said that food and housing cost increases over the last few years have “made it even harder” for people who are already struggling to make ends meet. He noted the state’s fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment went up 20% in the last year, further emphasizing the need issue residents are facing.
“That [fair-market jump] along makes a huge impact,” Schiff said.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on X at @James_Bessette.
