Nonprofits receive $150,000 in gift cards for clients in need

1,500 households were given $100 Ocean State Job Lot gift cards as cost of basics like food and winter clothing soar

By Chris Barnett | November 28, 2022

The Rhode Island Foundation provided $150,000 in Ocean State Job Lot gift cards to social service agencies across the state as Rhode Islanders cope with recovering from the pandemic and the rising price of food, winter clothing, gas and other necessities.

“This enabled our nonprofit partners to help Rhode Islanders deal with the increasing cost for the basics of everyday living,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. “Job Lot’s wide selection of merchandise gives recipients the flexibility to address their individual needs, whether it be food, clothing, health supplies or other essentials.”

Thirty social service agencies that serve almost every community in Rhode Island received and distributed an allotment of 50 gift cards. The Blackstone Valley Community Action Program in Pawtucket, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, the Community Care Alliance in Woonsocket, the Jonnycake Center for Hope in South Kingstown, Progreso Latino in Central Falls, the East Bay Community Action Program in East Providence and Westbay Community Action in Warwick are among the organizations that received cards.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $98 million and awarded $76 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities last year. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential.