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As Rhode Islanders face hunger due to Washington’s suspension of SNAP benefits, the Rhode Island Foundation is earmarking $1 million in emergency grants to help feed people until the federal funding is unlocked. 

The Foundation will send $200,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank immediately to help ramp up the food supply to its network of more than 100 food pantries and meal sites. The remaining $800,000 will be distributed to nonprofits directly by the Foundation through its Community Partner Resilience Fund. 

“Philanthropy alone can’t fill the gap, but we’re asking the public to help us keep food on the tables for our neighbors throughout the state,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Our hope is that the generosity of the public and our donors will generate another $1 million to match our grant.” Contributions can be made at rifoundation.org/food.

The action comes as the federal government suspended Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program payments to the states effective November 1. The program helps feed an estimated 143,000 men, women and children in every city and town in Rhode Island. 

“We will begin making grants to nonprofit agencies that can get food into the hands of people quickly and efficiently as soon as we can,” said Cicilline.