Neighborhood Friends Network
Neighborhood Friends Network
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Stop & Shop Supports YNFP!
You’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village.” That’s what they say about solving the big problems people face every day. We couldn’t agree more. Especially amid Washington's cuts to social services, “It takes a neighborhood.”
Nearly two out of five households in our neighborhood of Providence and across Rhode Island don’t always have enough to eat. Our Neighborhood Friends Network brings together people and organizations working with us to help our neighbors put food on the table. YNFP thanks all our Neighborhood Friends below and invites you to join us.
To join our Neighborhood Friends Network, please reach out to YNFP Executive Director Jacqueline Watson-Gardiner at ynfp22@gmail.com.
YNFP is a member of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which supplies us with food staples, equipment and training on how best to serve our neighborhood.
Providence City Councilman Justin Roias hosted our Grand Opening, bringing Mayor Brett Smiley and fellow councilmembers together in a united front against hunger. He remains an active supporter to this day.
A seed grant from the Rhode Island Foundation was pivotal to the launch of our pantry serving the North End of Providence. The foundation recently renewed its grant, for our ongoing operations.
The Town Fair Tire Foundation became a major donor in 2025, joining our growing network of supporters.
The Power of Partnership
Our pantry partners with the Mount Hope Community Center on initiatives benefiting both of our stakeholders on an ongoing basis, with the essential coordination of YNFP Boardmember Sharon Lee Waldman.
Our pantry has filled bags with nourishing food to be delivered to Mount Hope neighbors. In turn, the Community Center has provided YNFP with support including holiday gifts and clothing for the children who visit our pantry.
Hope's Harvest, a program run by Farm Fresh RI, brings fresh, local produce to our pantry shelves.
In September 2025, the Stop & Shop on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence again supported YNFP with its Bloomin' 4 Good Program. The Providence store on W. River St. has also run this program with us.
Shaw's Supermarket in North Providence regularly provides prepared foods and other products, helping YNFP expand our pantry's range of options for neighbors in need.
Cumberland Farms of North Providence regularly supplies prepared foods and other well-received products.
Thanksgiving Friends Network
Each year, YNFP's annual Thanksgiving Food Drive demonstrates the power of networking for tackling hunger. In 2024, we provided Thanksgiving meal kits to over 250 households. Supporters have included the Make A Difference Foundation, PVD Food Insecurity Collective, Moses Brown School, Dave's Fresh Marketplace, Hope's Harvest, City Councilman Justin Roias, Sika Emseal, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Central Congregational Church, Stop & Shop, and individual donors, volunteers and board members. Thanks to all these and more!
The Lighthouse Shop at Riverside Congregational Church generously provides YNFP with bulk foods at deep discounts.
Thanks to the Wanskuck Library, we offer free books to children who come to the pantry.
PVDPERIOD. regularly supplies the pantry with free period products.
The Jules Hope Chest nonprofit supplies soap and hygiene products, and its founder, Julie Silva, serves on YNFP's board.
YNFP has become a grateful recipient of Ocean State Job Lot's Feed for Free program.
Central Congregational Church of Providence is a major donor to YNFP.
Church of the Redeemer in Providence is a repeat donor to the pantry.
Washington Trust has donated food and funds to the pantry.
Hope Street Friends
During the annual Giving Season, the Hope Street Merchants Association has supported YNFP with food drives and other activities.
In 2023-24, merchants and shoppers participated at the East Side YMCA, Henry Bear's Park, J Marcel, Kreatelier, Like No Udder & PVDeli, LULI Boutique, Rhody Craft, Seven Stars Bakery and Stock Culinary Goods.
Brown University has generously sent us interns, and its Watson Institute has supplied us with IT equipment.
Johnson & Wales interns have helped out at the pantry, and the school supported a student fundraiser for YNFP.
Our next-door neighbor, the San Miguel School, has become a regular contributor of food for our shelves.
3P HR Consulting has been a major funder and fundraiser for YNFP.
Early support from Feast & Fettle helped kickstart the success of YNFP, with ongoing charitable donations of their incredible meals.
End Hunger New England has generously supplied YNFP with its nutritious meal pouches of rice and beans, oatmeal and more - all packed by volunteers in Massachusetts.
We are a member of the 1 of 52 Hunger Network.
Microsoft is helping us connect with pro bono cloud services and applications.
On October 29, 2023, the PVD Food Insecurity Collective held a concert and costume contest with all proceeds going to YNFP.
Jersey Mike's on Branch Ave. donated subs for our Grand Opening.
Oak Street Health on Branch Avenue has partnered with us at the pantry to bring healthcare information to our neighbors.
Dunkin' Donuts on Branch Ave. gifted coffee and donuts for our Grand Opening.
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