Community groups rally in support of those in need   

Here’s a list of local food-support resources & ways you can help amid the federal pause in SNAP benefits this November  

Community groups around the state have stepped up in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has paused the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the month of November. This has gravely impacted SNAP benefits, a newer name for food stamps, a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low-income and no-income individuals and families to help them maintain adequate nutrition and health.    

On Monday, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, which hosts both a pantry and a meal site, shared in an Instagram post that staff saw double the number of people they usually see on the first weekday of the month.  

The center went on to share a story about one of the first people to visit the pantry, a mom in her mid-thirties with two children and one more on the way. “She cried as she told us she didn’t know how she’d feed her kids this week,” the post read. “She was anxious and apprehensive about using the food pantry.” 

The post quoted the mother, who shared: “I haven’t had to use the food pantry in a long time…it’s been years since I’ve been to the MLK. But without SNAP, I don’t know how I’m going to feed them this week.” 

“Our Executive Director guided her through the food pantry,” the post continued. “Her eyes lit up when she saw things like milk, eggs, and chicken. She also smiled about the things she was able to choose that her kids love. When the woman left, she gave us a sigh of relief and said the food she received would last for a long while. She said several times how grateful she was for the help.” 

The MLK center then thanked the community for its support, which it said enables them to continue helping people in need. This also extends to community members who have been furloughed as a result of the government shutdown.  

For more information about the center visit www.mlkccenter.org, and for a list of its current needs, visit www.mlkccenter.org/current-needs. Donations can be delivered during the Center’s normal business hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All donations can be brought to the Loading Dock off of Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd.; once there, ring the doorbell by the donation sign and a staff member will come out to assist.  

How You Can Help  

A growing list of local organizations and businesses are stepping up to support the MLK center. 

Water Brothers will be collecting non-perishable food items for the MLK center from Nov. 7-9 at their shop on Memorial Boulevard. Likewise, The Nitro Bar has been collecting non-perishable items for the MLK center all week from its Newport locations, and will continue its collection through Friday, Nov. 7. 

Matriarch, a boutique on Thames Street, will be hosting a benefit bake sale on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds from “Pies for Hunger” will be donated to the MLK center. For more information, and to contribute to the bake sale, email Amy at amy@overseasoned.com.  

Over the weekend, a Trunk-or-Treat Cars & Coffee event hosted by the Audrain Auto Museum at Fort Adams collected 934 pounds of non-perishable items for the MLK center. As of Monday, the Center shared that it had received 8,042 pounds worth of donations so far.  

Later this month, Giusto is offering its annual Buy One, Give One Lasagna program, back for a fifth year. For each lasagna purchased, Giusto will donate one to the MLK center. Additionally, if a guest purchases a lasagna and donates directly to the MLK center, Giusto will thank that guest with a $20 gift card that they can use on their next visit to Giusto (limit one per guest). 

Lasagnas cost $75 and feed 6-8 people. There is a meat option, and a vegetarian option with mushroom bolognese. Orders can be placed via phone between 1-6 p.m. by calling 401-324-7400. Lasagna pick-ups begin Nov. 24 and go through Dec. 23. 

Newport Classical will be collecting non-perishable items for the MLK center at its November and December concerts. Anyone who brings a donation will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win two Spring Chamber Series tickets. 

Benefits by the Numbers  

According to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, SNAP provides roughly $29 million each month in critical food assistance to approximately 145,000 Rhode Island residents. And according to the Economic Progress Institute, the estimated number of households in Newport County that participate in SNAP in an average month is 4,600; and the percent of Newport County households receiving SNAP benefits in an average month is 13 percent.  

Among the organizations that have offered support in response to the government shutdown and pause in federal funding of the SNAP program is the Rhode Island Foundation, which last week announced that it has distributed $1 million in emergency grants “to keep Rhode Islanders fed until SNAP funding resumes.”  

According to a press release from the Foundation, “the balance of the $1 million will go to the state’s network of seven community action program agencies, including the Community Action Partnership of Providence County, the East Bay Community Action Program [which services Newport] and the Tri-County Community Action Program; and dozens of nonprofits that focus on basic human needs like food, including Good Neighbors in East Providence, Connecting for Children and Families in Woonsocket, and the North Kingstown Food Pantry.” 

The following is a list of local food banks and meal sites, provided by the RI Community Food Bank and updated monthly:  

Meal sites: 

• Community Baptist Church, 40 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Open Saturdays from 4-4:45 p.m. Serves residents of Newport and Middletown. Dine-in only. Accessible. (401) 846-3086  

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Serving breakfast Monday through Friday from 7:30- 8:30 a.m. Accessible. (401) 846-4828 

• Salvation Army Newport, 51 Memorial Boulevard, Newport. Grab & Go meals are offered on Fridays from 4-4:45 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Accessible. Spanish spoken. (401) 846-3234 

Food pantries:  

• East Bay Community Action Newport, 19 Broadway, Newport. Open Mondays noon-4 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Serves East Bay residents. Guests can visit two times a month. Accessible. (401) 847-7821 

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m.; Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m.; Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. Guests can visit monthly. Accessible. Spanish interpreting available. (401) 846-4828 

• Salvation Army Newport, 51 Memorial Boulevard, Newport. Open Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Serves residents of Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton. Guests can visit monthly. Accessible. Spanish spoken. (401) 846-3234 

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul – St. Joseph, 5 Mann Avenue, Newport. Monday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Serves all of Newport County. Closed Thursday. Call for delivery information if needed. Spanish speaking members available upon request. (401) 258-5773 

Meals for Seniors 

The Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging also is offering support for senior citizens through a program that enables residents age 60 and older to “enjoy lunch with friends at meal sites across the state.” Locally, these include:  

• Jamestown Senior Center, 6 West St, Jamestown. Open Monday – Friday at 11:30 a.m. (401) 423-9804 

• Middletown Senior Center, 670 Green End Ave, Middletown. Open Monday – Friday at noon. (401) 849-8823 

• Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus St., Tiverton. Open Monday – Friday at 11:30 a.m. (401) 625-6790 

• *Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, 110 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth. (401) 683-4106 *Currently closed for renovations & slated to reopen in January 2026  

The suggested donation for each meal is $3.00; however, no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.  

Some sites offer transportation; seniors are instructed to inquire about a ride when they call to make a reservation. Of note: Free rides to meal sites are available to all Rhode Islanders age 60 and older through the Elderly Transportation Program (call 855-330-9131 to schedule a ride 48 hours in advance). 

If you are or know of a business or organization holding a related event this holiday season, please send an email with more information to htouhey@newportlifemagazine.com; the magazine will continue to share updates & resources through our weekly newsletter and social media accounts.