Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Holiday Meal Drive
November 1 – December 31
Rhode Island Community Food Bank Holiday Meal Drive 2013
The need for food assistance in Rhode Island remains at record high levels. Every month, the Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites is serving more than 68,000 people. One in three served is a child under the age of 18.
Here’s how you can help the Food Bank collect 350,000 additional pounds of food between November 1 and December 31.
- Drop off donations of non-perishable food any weekday (excluding holidays) between 8 am and 5 pm at the Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence.
- Organize your own food drive in your neighborhood, school, business or organization. We can provide posters and collection bins. For helpful tips, click here.
- Make a financial donation to our Holiday Meal Drive by clicking here. Every dollar you gives enables us to acquire three pounds of healthy food for a family in need.
- Visit our Kids’ Page and learn more about how young people can make a difference.
- Attend our Holiday Meal Drive Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7 — see details below!
Most needed items
Tuna, peanut butter, canned and dried beans, canned soups and stews, canned fruits and vegetables, nutritious breakfast cereals, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, boxed macaroni & cheese, granola bars, and tomato sauce.
Holiday Meal Drive Open House
Saturday, December 7, 9 am to Noon
Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence
Bring the whole family for a festive and heart-warming event at the Food Bank.
On this special day, all ages are invited to drop off donations of non-perishable food and join in the work of the Food Bank, with hands-on sorting and packaging of food for families in need.
Entertainment will be provided by the a capella group, Voices of Christmas, and local teen singing sensation Emeline Easton , along with celebrity appearances by the new Miss Rhode Island USA and Paws from the PawSox.
There will be activities for the whole family, including tours of the Food Bank, a scavenger hunt, a make-your-own donation box activity, and hot chocolate and cookies prepared by our Community Kitchen.
Remember to bring your donations of our most-needed items (see list above or click here for a complete list).
For more information on the Holiday Meal Drive Open House, call 401-230-1674 or email celder@rifoodbank.org.
Many thanks to our event sponsors: Unilever and CVS Caremark.
Easy Entertaining
Easy Entertaining Serves Up A Locavore’s Thanksgiving
Skip the stress, don’t worry about the mess. Easy Entertaining Inc. has Thanksgiving covered this year!
Easy Entertaining Inc. is preparing gourmet Thanksgiving meals to order. The holiday menu features traditional farm to fork favorites such as Baffoni Farm turkeys, herb rubbed and ready to roast. The menu also features a choice of three appetizers, including homespun pumpkin cheese & pretzel roll dippers, ten gourmet sides, such as their signature stuffing with or without sausage and two desserts, including mouthwatering apple spice cake with caramel buttercream that serves 12-15 guests. Customers can head over to the Easy Entertaining Inc. website for the full menu and to place an order.
This is the seventh year Easy Entertaining is preparing Thanksgiving for customers and their first year offering online ordering. “In the last few years we have sold out on dinners and sides. Our staff preps for months to be ready to fulfill our customers’ holiday needs” said Katie Roberts, owner and executive Chef of Easy Entertaining.
“As a sustainable company we are so excited for this time of year to be able to share the local fall flavors of New England with everyone. Thanksgiving is the time of year to harvest and give thanks, and being farm to fork, we embody that concept completely.” Said Roberts.
Customers can order a complete meal that serves four to twelve guests. The deadline for ordering Thanksgiving dinner is Thursday, November 21, at 5 p.m. Customers can pick up their dinners on Wednesday, November 27 or even have their meal delivered.
To place an order click HERE or call 401.437.6090
For more information please contact 401.437.6090 or email Katie@EasyEntertainingri.com.
Senator Jack Reed (far right) with members of the Providence community
Southside Community Land Trust
New Federal Funds to Help Grow Urban Agriculture in Providence
U.S. Senators & SCLT announce $255,000 to help refugee gardeners plant roots in the community and cultivate food security
Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse joined with Margaret DeVos, Executive Director of the Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT), non-profit leaders, community gardeners, and volunteers to announce a new $255,000 federal grant to support urban agriculture and refugee resettlement in Providence.
SCLT has been selected as one of 11 organizations nationwide to receive a federal grant from the Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program (RAPP). Other sites selected include New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Tampa, FL; Cleveland, OH; and Nashville, TN. Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island will also be working under the grant to support the initiative.
Rhode Island Department of Agriculture Chief Ken Ayers (left) with Senator Jack Reed
This funding will allow new refugees to grow food for their families and neighbors and accelerate their transition to becoming self-sufficient and active members of the community. In addition to providing fresh, affordable, and locally grown food, SCLT’s initiative will turn underutilized land into plots of verdant, sustainable, community assets.
“I commend Southside Community Land Trust and am proud to help make this grant possible,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds RAPP. “In addition to providing healthy food and a potential source of income, this program helps refugees plant roots in Rhode Island and connect with the greater community through food and farming.”
