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4/2/2026
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Op-Ed: Amid federal cuts and uncertainty, NK Food Pantry needs support
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By Rep. Julie A. Casimiro
Last fall, during one of the longest federal shutdowns in recent memory, Rhode Islanders who count on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were deeply affected. According to the Rhode Island Food Bank’s Spring 2026 Impact Report, it had to add 4 million additional pounds of food to the FY 26 budget. Going from 14.5 million pounds of planned food distribution to 18.5 million pounds of needed food is not an insignificant amount. It demonstrates a clear and disturbing picture of food insecurity in our state and the problem shows no signs of slowing down.
We are not immune to hunger in North Kingstown, either.
The number of individuals, families and seniors utilizing the North Kingstown Food Pantry continues to rise, as does the amount of food necessary to keep our community fed.
Federal policy changes and rising inflation, with the costs of housing, gas, food, medicine, health care and other daily necessities still climbing, are putting too many North Kingstown residents and families in a very precarious spot. This forces our friends and neighbors to make incredibly hard choices about where their money goes, and all too often, food is one of the first things to cut from their budget.
As an advisory board member of the North Kingstown Food Pantry, I have seen the need for the pantry’s services grow significantly over the past few years and with that fact, the support needed to continue to serve the residents and families who rely upon the pantry has also increased.
And while food donations are always crucial to a food pantry’s mission, financial donations can be used even further to keep struggling residents well-fed and healthy. Food pantries have several partnerships that allow them to stretch a dollar further than most could imagine, securing much more healthy and nutritious food than simple food donations could generate.
Whether it’s food or monetary donations, or simply volunteering one’s time, every little bit helps to support our residents, families and students who are struggling to get through their day properly fed.
North Kingstown is a tight-knit town that never fails to come together and help our community members in need. With economic uncertainty continuing to affect everyone, now is the time to step up and help our family members, friends and neighbors who are struggling to simply feed themselves and their loved ones. The North Kingstown Food Pantry is up to the challenge, but it cannot succeed without your help.
Rep. Julie A. Casimiro, a Democrat, represents District 31 in North Kingstown and Exeter.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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