2026 -- H 7325

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LC003469

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 27, 2026 TO BE “RHODE ISLAND FOOD INSECURITY

AWARENESS DAY” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Slater, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Hull, J. Lombardi, Diaz, Kislak, and Voas

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In 2025, a record number of Rhode Islanders needed food assistance due to

high food prices, the steep rise in housing costs, and the end of COVID-19 relief programs; and

     WHEREAS, According to the 2026 annual Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island,

nearly one out of every five or 34% of Rhode Island households are unable to meet their basic

food needs; and

     WHEREAS, Communities of color are at the greatest risk of hunger, such that while 27%

of white households are food insecure, the rate is 50% among Black households, 58% among

Latino households, and 44% among all other households (including Asian, Native American, and

more than one race/ethnicity); and

     WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2025, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“Food Bank”)

distributed 18.5 million pounds of food through its 147 member agencies across Rhode Island;

and

     WHEREAS, The Food Bank’s statewide network of 137 member agencies served an

average of 85,000 individuals per month in 2025 (January through September), an increase of 5%

from the previous year when an average 82,000 people were served monthly; and

     WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2026 the Food Bank will spend $7 million on food acquisition

to keep pace with the high demand for food assistance; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is committed to addressing the health and

wellbeing of its residents by continuing public awareness of increased food insecurity and

seeking ways to address this increased need; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims January 27, 2026, to be “Rhode Island Food Insecurity Awareness Day” in the State of

Rhode Island; 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 the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, The

Honorable Daniel J. Mckee.

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