The Rhode Island Community Food Bank launched the 2018 Summer Food Drive June 26 to address the need for food assistance, particularly for children, all summer long.

This year the Food Bank was joined by Jim Dorey, President of Price Rite Marketplace, who announced a $30,000 grant to provide 3,000 Meals4Kids boxes to provide a weeks worth of meals and snacks for kids.

“The work of the Food Bank is so important,” said Dorey. “And all of us at Price Rite are committed to having an impact on the neighborhoods where our customers and employees live. It’s good for business and its good for the community.”

Children are particularly vulnerable once school closes and they no longer have access to the free and reduced-price lunches they receive all year long. The Meals4Kids boxes sponsored by Price Rite are designed to provide enough food to carry families over until they connect with a food pantry or summer meal program.

While the need remains high all summer long, food donations overall generally decrease. Food banks and pantries scramble to keep enough healthy, nutritious food on the shelves to support these families.

“This help from Price Rite is wonderful, but our member agencies will continue to serve nearly 57,000 people each month throughout the summer,” said Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff, “The need doesn’t end because people go on vacation. In fact, we see more children and families coming to us for assistance at this time.”

Summer Food Drive Chair Andy Moffit, First Gentleman of Rhode Island, put out a call to action: “The summer is a time to join together so we can make sure kids have enough to eat. Were asking businesses and organizations to help out – by hosting a food drive – to ensure that no one goes hungry.”

The public is invited to pick up food drive posters and collection bins at the Food Bank on any weekday (except holidays) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Financial donations also support the Summer Food Drive. Each dollar donated enables the Food Bank to provide three pounds of nutritious food. Donations can be made online at www.rifoodbank.org.