Blue Cross & Blue Shield join in Community Food Bank holiday drive

Posted 11/26/19

To encourage Rhode Islanders to support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has designated its four Your Blue Store locations (Cranston, East Providence, Lincoln and Warwick) as food donation sites.

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Blue Cross & Blue Shield join in Community Food Bank holiday drive

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To encourage Rhode Islanders to support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has designated its four Your Blue Store locations (Cranston, East Providence, Lincoln and Warwick) as food donation sites.

“Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is deeply committed to making sure Rhode Islanders have what they need to be healthy,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI and a Food Bank Board member. “Too many people struggle to put food on the table in Rhode Island, particularly at this time of year. We want to provide a meaningful way for Rhode Islanders to join us in ensuring that no one goes hungry. We all hope there is a time when we don’t have to have food drives, but until that day, Blue Cross is committed to supporting the Food Bank, a lifeline for so many Rhode Islanders.”

Through December 8, donations will be accepted Monday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all four Your Blue Store locations are Cowesett Corners, 300 Quaker Lane, Warwick; Highland Commons, 71 Highland Avenue, East Providence; Lincoln Mall Shopping Center, 622 George Washington Highway and Marshall’s Plaza, 1400 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston.

This years list of most-needed items include: peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, tuna, brown rice, canned and dried beans, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soups and stews, granola bars, canned fruits and vegetables, tomato sauce, breakfast cereals and extra virgin olive oil.

A recent survey conducted by the Food Bank, in collaboration with Brown University, indicated that 45 percent of the people served are in fair or even poor health with rates of diabetes and high blood pressure well above the national average.

“At the Food Bank and at Blue Cross, we recognize that hunger is a health issue for so many low-income Rhode Islanders,” said Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “It is critical that the vulnerable populations we serve primarily children and seniors have access to healthy, nutritious food.”

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank serves 53,000 people each month through its statewide network of 168 member agencies. A recent survey revealed that 66 percent of the households visiting food pantries include a child or senior adult.

For ways to get involved and a list of donation drop-off locations, visit: www.rifoodbank.org.

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