Portsmouth Food Bank to open for distribution Tuesday

PORTSMOUTH — The newly established Portsmouth Food Bank will be open for food distribution on Tuesday, March 31.

The Town of Portsmouth is stocking the community emergency food bank to meet the needs of those affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. St. Barnabas Church has provided the use of its parish hall at 1697 East Main Road for the food bank.

Here are some things you should know:

To donate food:

The food bank is accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The town expects an increasing need to replenish the food bank throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Call 401/643-0323 or e-mail portsmouthri.foodbank@gmail.com and leave a message if you need more information about donating food.

Non-perishable, non-expired food Items can be dropped off at the parish hall, located at the church’s lower parking lot.

Food and food-related items needed include things such as: cereal, pancake mix, syrup, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, powdered milk, baked beans, canned fruit, pasta sauce, canned pasta, canned vegetables, canned tuna and  chicken, crackers, Minute Rice packages, canned soups, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and grocery store gift cards.

To get food:

Come to the food bank between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, and a volunteer will bring food out to your car. If you are unable to get to the food bank during that timeframe, call 401/643-0323 or e-mail portsmouthri.foodbank@gmail.com and a volunteer will get back to you within 24 hours to address your needs.

To volunteer:

If you’d like to volunteer by accepting food donations, re-stocking the shelves or delivering food or picking up food donations from those who cannot come to the food bank, call 401/643-0323 or e-mail portsmouthri.foodbank@gmail.com with the days/times available and what you would be interested in doing.

To donate monetarily:

Text “pefb” to 555888 and click on your choice of a one-time gift or a recurring payment; or visit stbarnabasportsmouth.weshareonline.org and click on the “Make a Donation” button under the “Portsmouth Emergency Food Bank.”

You can also write a check, payable to the Town of Portsmouth. Note “Food Bank” on the check and either hand-deliver to the food bank or mail to Portsmouth Community Food Bank, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

For more information:

Visit the Portsmouth Town Hall website at portsmouthri.com, or contact Wendy Bulk at the Portsmouth Town Hall by calling 401/787-0281 or emailing wbulk@portsmouthri.com.