| R 066 |
| 2026 -- H 7325 Enacted 01/27/2026 |
| 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 |
| 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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| LC003469 |
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