Fresh Food on the Way to Rhode Islanders in Need
Published on Friday, October 31, 2025
Governor McKee and Lt. Governor Matos join effort to get fresh produce to RI families during SNAP crisis
PAWTUCKET, RI — Governor Dan McKee and Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos were among community leaders helping to prepare nearly 10,000 pounds of produce to distribute to Rhode Island families at the ELISHA Project in Pawtucket.
The donated food is the result of a collaboration between New England-based r4 Technologies and the national food rescue nonprofit organization Sharing Excess. r4 uses technology to identify surplus food at U.S. seaports—food that Sharing Excess then delivers to community organizations to distribute.
“In the absence of November SNAP benefits, there is an urgent need for food assistance in Rhode Island right now,” said Governor McKee. “While the State has put strategies in place to provide $6 million to support more than 20,000 Rhode Island families with children and additional funds to strengthen food access for others, we rely on the ingenuity of r4 and the generosity of all Rhode Islanders to help their neighbors.”
In Rhode Island, the cost of the federally-funded SNAP program is $29 million each month to provide grocery money for more than 140,000 Rhode Islanders.
“While it is heartening to see our communities step up to feed their neighbors, the national crisis could have been avoided if the Trump Administration had chosen to release billions of dollars in contingency funding intended to address a food emergency,” Governor McKee noted. He added that while today’s court rulings are encouraging, it’s still uncertain when families will actually see relief and in what amount.
“Feeding Rhode Islanders during the Trump hunger wave will be an all-hands-on-deck effort. Today, we’re proud to be able to share nearly 10,000 pounds of fresh food with those in need thanks to the support of R4 and Sharing Excess,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “Community and philanthropy are the best antidote to the greed that has led not just to this current SNAP crisis but to the ongoing affordability crisis that is gripping Rhode Island. I encourage all Rhode Islanders who can afford it to make their own donation to our food pantries at rifoundation.org/food.”
“People are hungry every day in Rhode Island, and they shouldn’t be,” said George L. Ortiz, Jr., CEO of the ELISHA Project. “Even before the government shutdown and pending suspension of SNAP benefits, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in demand for food this year from people who are hungry and who cannot afford basic essentials. We are fortunate to have a powerful community that is willing to come together to help us meet the needs of those who will go without unless there is a helping hand, but we must do better. We are very grateful to partner with R4 to help meet this increasing demand, and we look forward to the day when food insecurity is no longer.”
The collaborative effort was recommended to Rhode Island by former Delaware Governor Bethany Hall-Long, who has worked with the r4 technologies and Sharing Excess to supply surplus food to residents of her home state. Hall-Long was among the dignitaries at today’s event, as were General Treasurer James Diossa, State Representative Cherie Cruz (D-District 58, Pawtucket), State Senator Lori Urso (D-District 8, Pawtucket), Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp, Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins, and RI Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney.
“For too many families across Rhode Island, access to nutritious food remains an everyday challenge,” r4 CEO Paul Breitenbach said. “At r4, we’re proud to partner with Governor Daniel McKee and the State of Rhode Island to help change that. Together with The Smart Food Foundation, we’re working to get healthy food to the people who need it most. This partnership reflects the power of collaboration in strengthening communities across the state.”
“While we face a growing crisis of food access, the U.S. continues to waste nearly 40% of its food supply, throwing away ten times more food than we need to feed everyone,” Sharing Excess CEO Evan Ehlers said. “At Sharing Excess, we’re committed to redirecting that surplus to communities in need, and we’re thrilled to partner with Governor Daniel McKee and r4 to make a meaningful difference for families across Rhode Island during a critical time of need.”
For more information on the McKee Administration’s response to the SNAP crisis, visit SNAPsupport.ri.gov.
"We cannot stand by while our most vulnerable residents face obstacles in accessing the food assistance they need,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “The City proudly stands with our state and federal partners to defend the rights and dignity of the nearly 16,000 families, seniors, and children in Pawtucket who rely on SNAP benefits. Together with our community partners, the Pawtucket School Department, and the Pawtucket Housing Authority, we are committed to ensuring that every household has access to food and support. Pawtucket will continue to advocate for fairness, accountability, and compassion for the residents we serve."
“No one organization alone can fill this enormous gap. Today's collaboration is an example of what can happen when we come together as a community,” said Melissa Cherney, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “It will take all of us working together to ensure no Rhode Islander is left without food. We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and for the leaders and volunteers at the food pantries across the entire state.”
“We have seen people all across our community, stepping up to help those who will be losing their SNAP benefits,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva. “Organizations like the ELISHA Project have partnered with us before during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed our community. They have continued to help those in need and now are playing a big role in getting food to those losing their SNAP benefits.”
“I am proud to have community partners like The ELISHA Project, who continually support those who need our help the most,” said Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp. “SNAP benefits are vital to residents in Woonsocket. Working together can make a difference. No one should go hungry!”
“This partnership, the collaborations, and the greater sense of community building around the lack of SNAP funding demonstrate the best of Rhode Island. “Despite the challenges and the uncertainty ahead, we can count on each other to rise to the occasion for those in need,” said RI Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito.