Cities and towns throughout RI and Mass. seeking donations in face of SNAP pause

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Local officials and food banks are gearing up to help residents who will be affected by the November 1 SNAP shut off.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos will be in Pawtucket as the Elisha Project takes produce donations.

10,000 pounds of fruit and vegetables will be distributed to the organization along with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at 3 p.m. Friday.

In Attleboro, police and firefighter unions will be assisting the Herbron Food Pantry on Emory Street with a drive for food and other items.

Donors can drop off food, hygiene products and socks at the pantry Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

According to the charity, the most needed items are personal care products, new socks, baking ingredients, oatmeal, cereal, coffee, tea, condiments, beans, tomato sauce & paste, pasta, mac & cheese, peanut butter, canned tuna, soups and vegetables.

The New Bedford city Department of Community Services will run a food drive of non-perishable donations.

There are three donation sites in the city; City Hall, the Council on Aging on Hillman Street and Buttonwood Senior Center at Buttonwood Park.

They will be taking donations through March of 2026.

Heading to New Bedford’s sister city, the Angels Anonymous Food Pantry in Fall River is asking for both food and monetary donations.

A donation event will be held on Sunday at the charity’s Weaver Street location from 7 to 10 a.m.

Also in Fall River, an election day food drive will be held by the city school department and local food banks.

They are collecting non-perishable food items at all polling places.

They are asking for shelf-stable milk and baby formula, and will run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To find additional food banks in Massachusetts, click here.

To help out in Rhode Island, you can go here.