Harvesting Hope

According to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, one in three households in the state experience food insecurity. Low-income families with children and people of color are at highest risk. As food insecurity levels rise higher than those seen during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for consistent access to nutritious food has never been more urgent.

The Hope’s Harvest Program at Farm Fresh Rhode Island works to bridge that gap, mobilizing volunteers to harvest surplus fruits and vegetables from farms, executing contracts with local growers and paying for surplus produce. But as the need for food assistance in the state grew, Hope’s Harvest was not equipped to meet the demand. Its previous vehicles — a refrigerated 12-foot box truck and a small delivery van — along with rising fuel costs made it difficult to meet the needs of the community, especially during hot summer months when perishable produce required careful transport.

To tackle this challenge, Lions of District 42 used a US$47,995 Hunger Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to purchase a new refrigerated vehicle. Inspired by her past involvement with the Greater Warwick Lions Club, Lion Nancy Reiter applied for the grant. The Lions of District 42 raised US$16,250 through the “Lil Rhode Big Yum” online auction.

Equipped with the new LCIF-supported vehicle, Hope’s Harvest established partnerships with three additional farms and three new food distribution agencies, greatly expanding their reach to meet rising food demands and community needs. Today, they distribute food to 43 hunger relief agencies, reaching an estimated 35,000 Rhode Islanders each year.

LCIF Hunger Grants make projects like this possible by focusing on strengthening infrastructure and providing essential equipment Lions need to fight hunger. These grants empower Lions to support vital initiatives such as school feeding programs, food banks and feeding centers, ensuring that those in need receive the nourishment they require.

Learn more about LCIF Hunger Grants at lcif.org/hunger.