2025 -- H 5239
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LC000208
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING JANUARY 30, 2025, TO BE "RHODE ISLAND FOOD INSECURITY
AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Hull, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Tanzi, Ajello, Kennedy, Fellela, and Noret
Date Introduced: January 30, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, In 2024, a record number of Rhode Islanders needed food assistance due to 1
high food prices, the steep rise in housing costs, and the end of COVID-19 relief programs; and 2
WHEREAS, According to the 2024 annual Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island, 3
nearly two out of every five people, or 38% of Rhode Island households, are unable to meet their 4
basic food needs; and 5
WHEREAS, Communities of color are at the greatest risk of hunger, such that while 33% 6
of white households are food insecure, the food insecurity rate is 47% among Black households, 7
55% among Latino households, and 47% among all other households (including Asian, Native 8
American, and more than one race/ethnicity); and 9
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2024, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“Food Bank”) 10
distributed 18.3 million pounds of food through its 147 member agencies across Rhode Island; 11
and 12
WHEREAS, The Food Bank’s statewide network of 147 member agencies served 84,400 13
individuals per month in 2024 (January through September), an increase of 9% from the previous 14
year when 77,600 people were served monthly; and 15
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2025, the Food Bank will spend $6 million on food acquisition 16
to keep pace with the high demand for food assistance; and 17
WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is committed to addressing the health and well-18
being of its residents by continuing public awareness of increased food insecurity and seeking 19
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ways to address this increased need; now, therefore be it 1
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 2
proclaims January 30, 2025, to be “Rhode Island Food Insecurity Awareness Day” in the State of 3
Rhode Island; and be it further 4
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 5
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer, Rhode 6
Island Community Food Bank. 7
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LC000208
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