Pantries prepare for ‘tsunami’ of new recipients with November 1 loss of SNAP benefits

Northern RI – Thousands of northern Rhode Islanders who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for food won’t receive their monthly allotment at the end of this week unless federal authorities take action, and those who run local food pantries are now preparing for a rush of new recipients.

“We’re bracing for a tsunami after November 1,” said Lynn Rousseau, director of St. Patrick’s Food Pantry in Burrillville.

“I’m already seeing people I haven’t seen in years coming in,” said John Luszcz, director of the Glocester Food Pantry.

“A good number of the folks that visit our pantry are on food stamps and they’re frankly quite scared,” said Darlene Magaw, president of the board of the North Smithfield Food Pantry.

“Just this week we doubled in size as far as the help that is needed,” said Stephanie Amato from Grace’s Food Pantry in Chepachet.

Roughly 145,000 Rhode Islanders rely on monthly assistance from the federal program, with some $29 million sent to benefit cards in the state on the first of each month. But budget disputes led to a government shutdown on October 1, and Congress remains at an impasse, and no federal funding for food assistance expected to arrive November 1.

Gov. Dan McKee declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday, Oct. 28, and announced a series of actions that will help to fill the gap for at least some Rhode Islanders. Families with children can expect to receive a portion of their usual disbursement directly onto EBT cards as of November 1, with a second to follow on November 16.

“Rhode Island will not stand by and allow families to go hungry,” said McKee. “We’re taking decisive action to protect food access wherever possible and strengthen our local food banks.”

McKee also directed a $200,000 grant to the RI Community Food Bank, and announced that 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 another $200,000 to the food bank 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 through the Foundation’s Community Partner Resilience Fund. RI Community Food Bank has reportedly already placed an initial bulk order to help ensure resources are mobilized and ready to be distributed to food pantry partners in local communities across the state.

But not all local pantries will benefit from the added resources. Pantries like the ones mentioned in Glocester, and the facility operated in the basement of Slatersville Congregational Church in North Smithfield, for example, depend primarily on donations to feed local families.

“We’re definitely looking to receive as much in donations as we can from the local community, because we don’t get anything from the food bank,” said Amato. “We just recently pulled from our budget to restock our freezer.”

The pantry organizers all said that they have already begun to see an uptick in visitors. Magaw said the Slatersville-based pantry typically serves between 55 and 65 people when it’s open – but served 87 clients last Tuesday.

“We did run out of some items, but people understood,” said Magaw. “We had a steady stream of new patrons who had never been before. People were still able to leave with a few bags of groceries.”

Asked if the pantry is preparing for a potential rush of even more clients, Magaw said, “Yes, we’re gearing up.”

“We don’t turn people away, so we’re as ready as we’re ever going to be,” she added.

Rousseau pointed out that food pantries already see an uptick in clients at this time every year with the holidays approaching.

“As one client told us, they get the SNAP benefits, so they would budget for their monthly food,” she said, noting that for many, the monthly allotment doesn’t provide enough for special meals at Thanksgiving or Christmas. “They turn to us at the food pantry for that assistance.”

Now, said Rousseau, the pantry may also need to help those in need of everyday food.

“We will never turn anyone away and we will help all of those that come for assistance,” she said.

Luszcz noted that recent events such as Trick or Treat on Main Street, local fundraisers and private donations have benefited his supply of resources.

“We’re expecting to see an increase, but we’ve had a lot of people stepping up,” Luszcz said. “Everyone”s coming together. It’s really nice.”

Such good work will continue, with a collection by the Glocester Police Department on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at Dino’s Park & Shop at 1020 Putnam Pike.

In Burrillville, “Rock Father” Roger Bourbonniere has started a collection for Grace’s Food Pantry at his rock garden at 1183 Victory Highway.

And all three northern Rhode Island towns also have troops participating in the Scouting for Food program, with pickup scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Everything collected in North Smithfield to go to the pantry at Slatersville Congregational Church.

Burrillville Scouts will also be at the Pascoag Fire Station on Howard Avenue from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday accepting donations, and have set up boxes to remain in place at Serio’s, Pool Pirate and Victory Supply.

And Boy Scout Troop 44 Glocester will be at Chepachet Union Church at 1138 Putnam Pike from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting non-perishable items for that church’s pantry from those who did not receive a door hanger.

Rousseau had a message this week for anyone who has ever considered donating to help those in need.

“Now is the time,” she said. “I believe in the good. A lot of people do the right thing. Now, it’s time to give back.”

Below is a list of food resources in northern Rhode Island with hours for pickup and donation as available. To provide additional information on food banks located in Burrillville, North Smithfield or Glocester email [email protected].

Chepachet Union Church, 1138 Putnam Pike, Glocester

• First and third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. Door in rear of building. (401) 568-2518
• Donations accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon as well as the first and third Saturdays of the month from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Donation drop offs usually happen at church’s rear entrance lower-level door.

Glocester Food Pantry at Glocester Town Hall, 1145 Putnam Pike, Glocester

• Food bank open exclusively to Glocester residents on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• For donations call (401) 430-0427 or (401) 568-6206, ext. 222

Grace’s Food Pantry at Glad Tidings Community Church, 111 Victory Highway, Chepachet

• -Email [email protected] to get a biweekly food pickup list
• -Donations can be placed in the bin at the main entrance of the church

Helping Hands Food Pantry at Berean Baptist Church, 474 Chapel St., Harrisville

• First and third Saturday of every month 8:30 to 11 a.m. Open to Burrillville residents with ID required upon first visit. Parking available in the lot at the rear of the church.

North Smithfield Food Pantry at Slatersville Congregational Church, 25 Green St., North Smithfield

• Open exclusively to North Smithfield residents with photo ID and bill confirming address. Pickup available three days in November: Tuesdays, Nov. 18 and Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.
• Donations accepted during pantry hours or church office hours from 2 to 5 p.m. Monetary donations can be sent to North Smithfield Food Pantry, PO Box 283, Slatersville 02876

Our Lady of Good Help, 1063 Victory Highway, Burrillville

• First Saturday each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and third Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m, Call to confirm hours:(401) 762-1834

Shepherd’s Food Pantry at Burrillville Seventh Day Adventist, 854 Victory Highway, Burrillville

• Last Tuesday of each month 5 to 6:30 p.m. (401)568-5255

St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, 45 Harrisville Main St., Burrillville

• Every other Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pantry located in building behind rectory. https://stpatrickri.org/food-pantry/

Donate also to the statewide effort at rifoundation.org/food.