Food bank needs help for holidays

The worsening economy means more Rhode Islanders will be needing help this holiday season. 

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank recently received a sizable donation that will help the organization assist thousands of families during the winter months.

With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, volunteers at the food bank in Providence are busier than ever sorting food for the annual Holiday Meal Drive.

“We’re seeing an incredible increase in demand for food at food banks, soup kitchens and shelters,“ Director Andrew Schiff said.

It’s a demand driven by a weakening economy and the state’s high unemployment rate. The food bank takes in approximately 750,000 tons of food a month. Yet many of the shelves are empty.

Officials said they’re going through 15 percent more food this year than at the same time last year. The food bank turns to companies such as Pawtucket-based Collette Vacations to help fill its shelves.

The travel tour operator came through in a big way this year, thanks to a little friendly competition among employees.

“The air department challenged the rest of the company.  Last year, we raised 500 pounds.  This year we raised 6,000 pounds.  So, the company really stepped up,“ President Dan Sullivan said.

Thanks to their effort, the food bank is well on its way to achieving its goal for this holiday season.  It’s aiming to collect five additional truckloads of food to make the holidays brighter for thousands in need.