Grant Aims To Keep South County Food Pantries Stocked As Holidays Near

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation is offering $50,000 in matching grants to help keep local food pantries stocked during the holiday season.

The Foundation will match every donation the public makes to Trinity Rep during the 2026 run of “A Christmas Carol” with an equal grant to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, up to a total of $50,000, according to a media release.

The goal is to keep the Food Bank warehouse stocked with groceries for member agencies like the St. Peter by the Sea Community Market Pantry in Narragansett, the North Kingstown Food Pantry, the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard and the Jonnycake Center for Hope Food Pantry in South Kingstown, the release said.

“Hunger is always looming for many of our neighbors, but the soaring cost of going to the grocery store is making this year much more challenging. For anyone considering giving to Trinity, there has never been a more urgent time to be generous,” Foundation President and CEO David N. Cicilline said in the release.

The public can unlock the matching grants by contributing to Trinity Rep online at trinityrep.com/match or by texting SCROOGE to 44-321.

“At the heart of 'A Christmas Carol' is the idea that we have the power to make a difference in one another’s lives," Meredith McDonough, Trinity Rep’s artistic director, said in the release.

"This partnership brings that message to life, connecting the generosity of our audiences with meaningful support for Rhode Islanders facing hunger," McDonough said. "Trinity Rep is grateful to our community for joining us in putting the story’s enduring message of compassion into action this holiday season."

Trinity Rep’s 50th annual production of “A Christmas Carol” runs through Dec. 31. In addition to the matching challenge, the theater is encouraging audiences to take part in a food drive to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank by bringing nonperishable and canned food items to performances. More information is available at trinityrep.com/carol.