EAST PROVIDENCE — Good Neighbors Food Pantry will host a unique fundraising event with two-time Food Network “Chopped” champion Eli Dunn on Tuesday, May 5.

Dunn, proprietor of Eli’s Kitchen in Warren, will be challenged with making a meal using ingredients distributed through the Good Neighbors pantry. Chef Eli will race against the clock to create a dish out of simple pantry staples in under 30 minutes.

The event will be accessible live on the Good Neighbor’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GoodNeighborsRI/) starting at 11 a.m.

“A first-time guest at our pantry might look at these items and see them as boring. I knew we could find someone that would be able to elevate these humble ingredients into a gourmet meal at home. We reached out to Chef Eli and he was more than willing to help us inspire all the Rhode Islanders accessing food pantries for the first time because of COVID-19,” said Good Neighbors Executive Director Ric Wild. 

When the economic impact of layoffs started to affect Rhode Islanders, Good Neighbors saw a dramatic increase in the number of individuals and families seeking food assistance for the first time. Since the second half of March, the hunger relief agency has seen twice as many for a drive-thru, contact-less pickup pantry every Wednesday and Saturday. Good Neighbors distributes nonperishable items, meat, dairy, and fresh produce – most of which is obtained from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. 

The Facebook Live event coincides with the organization’s #GivingTuesdayNow campaign which seeks to raise $5,000 during the global day of giving. Thanks to an incredibly generous donor all donations up to $5,000 will be matched, allowing every contribution to be doubled. Online donations can be made at the organization’s website goodneighborsri.org.

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