Cooley, Osborne team up to give back to South Providence families

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Grammy-nominated singer and musician Jeffrey Osborne and PC Friars Head Coach Ed Cooley have not forgotten their Providence roots.

Osborne, growing up off Olney Street, later made his way to the national stage. Cooley, growing up in South Providence, is now the head coach of the PC Friars. They’re both giving back to help the families who live in those neighborhoods now.

“We’re giving away $100 food vouchers to over 300 families,” says Osborne.

“To me, this is greater than winning a Big East basketball game,” says Cooley. “There is nothing greater than giving back and making people feel like they’re worthy, like they’re not forgotten.”

The two, on opposite coasts now, reminisce about their shared childhood experiences.

“I went to the Prairie Avenue pool and that’s where they had city lunches,” Cooley says, noting that he and his family were on the receiving end of free meals when they were growing up.

Osborne says he also would frequent the Prairie Avenue pool, and that he knew how hard his parents had to work to put food on the table for him and his 11 siblings. He says the need in those communities has not changed much.

Both are confident that the vouchers will make a huge impact on families, and also hope that their stories will inspire inner city kids.

The vouchers are for Roch’s Fresh Foods and home delivery is available. Families eligible for the vouchers will be contacted by the South Side Boys & Girls Club and the Davey Lopes Rec Center.