Blackstone Valley nonprofits receive COVID-19 aid

Six Blackstone Valley nonprofits are among 19 organizations across the state will be able to help Rhode Islanders with food, rent, utilities and other expenses thanks to $1 million in the latest round of grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“Rhode Islanders are struggling to afford basic necessities. These grants will help backbone community service organizations around the state fill the gaps as people ( adjust to) deal with having even fewer resources,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation. “We are so grateful to the donors who have stepped up throughout the pandemic. We will continue to connect with charitable Rhode Islanders to support the nonprofit organizations on the front lines of providing critical community services.”

The Blackstone Valley Community Action Program in Pawtucket will use most of its grant to help clients who have been directly affected by COVID-19 with rental assistance and to stock its food pantry, which is open for curbside pickup most weekdays by appointment.

“COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on the community we serve. Clients have lost jobs, schools have closed, parents are unable to work due to children being at home,” said Vin Ceglie, executive director.

In addition to rental assistance and the food pantry, the organization also provides a host of other services to low-to-moderate-income residents of Blackstone Valley communities, including Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland and Woonsocket.

“While no one knows how long the crisis will continue, we’re doing everything we can to continue helping people who are been struggling with the repercussions of COVID-19,” said Ceglie.

The Community Care Alliance in Woonsocket use the funding will be used to provide gift cards to grocery stores, bus passes and basic needs assistance. The organization expects to serve approximately 2,000 individuals and 1,000 households.

“In the past month, food supports like the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and unemployment benefits have returned to normal levels while the prices of food and other important items remain elevated. Furthermore, gift cards allow individuals to purchase personal needs items, including paper goods and diapers which they cannot do with their SNAP benefits,” said Taylor.

“With more income applied to food, clients have fewer resources for transportation. The bus passes will ensure clients are able to attend health care appointments, get to work and go shopping for critical supplies,” she said.

The East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) in East Providence will re-stock its food pantries and provide rental and utility assistance as well as distribute gift cards for cleaning supplies. In addition, the organization plans to distribute more food out of health centers.

“The pandemic continues to have a major economic impact on our communities and especially the extremely low to moderate income households that make up the overwhelming majority of our clients. The low-wage, service industry jobs which support many of our clients have declined precipitously,” said Dennis Roy, executive director.