SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING JANUARY 27, 2026 TO BE “RHODE ISLAND FOOD INSECURITY AWARENESS DAY” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

S2335

2026 -- S 2335
========
LC004097
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING JANUARY 27, 2026 TO BE “RHODE ISLAND FOOD INSECURITY
AWARENESS DAY” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Senators Valverde, Mack, Zurier, Dimitri, Appollonio, Famiglietti, Euer,
Urso, Bissaillon, and DiMario

Date Introduced:
January 27, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
1
WHEREAS, In 2025, a record number of Rhode Islanders needed food assistance due to
2
high food prices, the steep rise in housing costs, and the end of COVID-19 relief programs; and
3
WHEREAS, According to the 2026 annual Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island,
4
nearly one out of every five or 34% of Rhode Island households are unable to meet their basic
5
food needs; and
6
WHEREAS, Communities of color are at the greatest risk of hunger, such that while 27%
7
of white households are food insecure, the rate is 50% among Black households, 58% among
8
Latino households, and 44% among all other households (including Asian, Native American, and
9
more than one race/ethnicity); and
10
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2025, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“Food Bank”)
11
distributed 18.5 million pounds of food through its 147 member agencies across Rhode Island;
12
and
13
WHEREAS, The Food Bank’s statewide network of 137 member agencies served an
14
average of 85,000 individuals per month in 2025 (January through September), an increase of 5%
15
from the previous year when an average 82,000 people were served monthly; and
16
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2026 the Food Bank will spend $7 million on food acquisition
17
to keep pace with the high demand for food assistance; and
18
WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is committed to addressing the health and
19
wellbeing of its residents by continuing public awareness of increased food insecurity and

1
seeking ways to address this increased need; now, therefore be it
2
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims January 27,
3
2026, to be “Rhode Island Food Insecurity Awareness Day” in the State of Rhode Island; and be
4
it further
5
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
6
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, The
7
Honorable Daniel J. Mckee.
========
LC004097
========

LC004097 - Page 2 of 2