2024 -- S 2258

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LC004757

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND THANKING THE ELISHA PROJECT FOR ALL IT HAS DONE IN

SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Acosta, F. Lombardi, Felag, LaMountain, Tikoian, DiMario,
Britto, Burke, McKenney, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The altruistic mission of the Elisha Project is to serve Black, Indigenous,

and People of Color (BIPOC) communities within Rhode Island with essential resources and

culturally relevant support with a focus on bringing these diverse communities together through

service, sharing, teaching and learning; and

     WHEREAS, It all began with a family of five dispensing 24 packed lunches to the

hungry on the streets of Providence, to more recently providing approximately 5 million pounds

of food for those with the most need in our State; and

     WHEREAS, To date, the Elisha Project has accomplished myriad life-changing projects

including collaborations with Seven Stars Bakery and The East Side Market, the launch of

EPShareMarket which supported the US Census, to the "COVID BOX HOME DELIVERY

PROGRAM" that made 1,000s of deliveries to families and individuals during the pandemic; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, the Elisha Project has partnered with USDA to distribute 5-10

trailers of food weekly, partnered with Dunkin, Market Basket, and Swansea Country Club to

distribute 10,000 Turkeys, partnered with RI Office of Healthy Aging to provide culturally

specific meals to Seniors, and partnered with the Patriots Social Justice Initiative to obtain a 26

foot delivery truck to expedite additional project endeavors; and

     WHEREAS, Joining forces with the City of Pawtucket, the Elisha Project acquired a

warehouse and office area space for its HQ in Pawtucket and became the official food rescue and

food insecurity partner of the City. In Providence, the Project launched the EP Bodega concept

with CCRI, JWU, and Times 2 Academy, and ultimately hit a milestone of distributing 150,000

lbs. of food during a 10-week period; and

     WHEREAS, By the end of 2023, the Elisha Project has held more than 24 Share Markets,

executed more than 250 direct deliveries of food, supplies, and essential items, thus ensuring that

those who faced barriers to access are included, particularly during challenging times; and

     WHEREAS, The Elisha Project’s deep commitment to its mission, guided by equity,

inclusivity, and empathetic service has made a significant difference in the lives of those they

serve, and they are eminently deserving of our recognition and gratitude; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes the Elisha

Project as the State's official food rescue partner and thanks them for all they have done in service

to the people of Rhode Island, and we moreover wish them many more years of success; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to George L. Ortiz, Jr., the Elisha Project.

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LC004757

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