WestBay Marketplace Unloads 40K Pounds of Food Donations

WARWICK, RI — WestBay Marketplace food pantry unloaded 40,000 lbs. of food donated by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, July 14, the result of a collaboration between Lakewood Baptist Church member Lincoln Smith, the pantry and the national church.

A semi truck with the food stopped at WestBay Marketplace,  487 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI, where volunteers unloaded 128 pallets of food donations, the largest amount donated to the pantry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from the organization.

The donation comes as President Donald Trump’s budget bill is poised to cut nearly $186 billion in federal SNAP food aid to the hungry in America, including in Rhode Island.  The bill including the cuts was signed into law July 4 after passing the senate 50-50 with only three Republican votes against, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie, then passing the U.S. House with all Democrats and two Republican votes against. The law adds work requirements for food assistance, and requires states to pay a portion of food assistance, both of which stand to prevent needy people, families and children from receiving help through red tape or limited supply.

The changes will, “Hurt thousands of Rhode Islanders, especially children and seniors, all to fund tax breaks for billionaires,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner, as he and Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation attempted to rally support to prevent Trump’s cuts. “At a time when too many people are struggling to afford groceries, we should be strengthening food assistance, not gutting it.”

The truckload included a variety of non-perishable food items, including: pasta, spaghetti sauce, pancake & waffle mix, cream of mushroom soup, peanut butter, rice, pinto beans, flour, and mac & cheese, all of which will go directly to support individuals and families served by the Marketplace who have food insecurity. 

The initiative was spearheaded by Chris George, Manager of Welfare and Self-Reliance Services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in coordination with Lincoln Smith, a member of Lakewood Baptist Church in Warwick who volunteers at WestBay Marketplace, and Jordon Hiatt, the Marketplace Supervisor.

“This donation is a blessing for so many families in need,” said Hiatt. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.”   He also said this is the largest food donation they have received since the start of COVID.