Message from the Manager
We have many milestones ahead of us in the second half of the year, but none as meaningful as the completion of our renovated Little Red Schoolhouse. After years of planning, fundraising, and support from our incredible community, it is so inspiring to see the project entering its final stages. This expanded space will allow us to better serve our neighbors by creating a more welcoming, efficient environment for food distribution and to connect clients with community resources they may need.
At the same time, this growth comes during a period of increasing need. We continue to see more families turning to us for help, while the cost of providing food and hygiene items remain high. The completion of our expansion could not happen at a more important time, helping ensure that we are prepared to meet the needs of our community both now and in the years ahead.
Kristin Jahne, Pantry Manager
Construction Updates
The renovation of our Little Red Schoolhouse is moving along quickly, and each week brings visible progress. The floor has been installed, the walls are up, insulation has been blown in, and drywall installation is underway. New siding is also being added to the exterior, but don’t worry- the schoolhouse will be painted historic red again!
Recently, we were honored to host a small community tour for some of the donors who helped make this project possible. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the progress firsthand and celebrate how far we have come together. We are deeply grateful for everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality, and we cannot wait to share the finished project with the entire community later this summer.
The Numbers Keep Climbing
We thought we had seen the highest levels of need during last year's SNAP crisis, but demand for our services continues to grow. In April 2026, the NK Food Pantry served the highest number of unique individuals through our programs, outside of the extraordinary demand experienced during the crisis last winter.
Behind every number is a neighbor facing difficult choices: families balancing rising grocery costs, seniors living on fixed incomes, and individuals working hard to make ends meet. As the need continues to increase, so does the importance of community support.
It’s Food Drive Season!
One of the things that makes North Kingstown special is the way our community comes together to support neighbors in need. This year's Stamp Out Hunger from the NK Post Office brought in more than 3,000 pounds of nonperishable food and hygiene products for our pantry. We are also grateful for recent donations from Pat's Pastured, the North Kingstown Community Chorus, and many others, including several local students who organized food drives and fundraising efforts as part of their high school senior projects.
These contributions help keep our shelves stocked and ensure that local families have access to nutritious food throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who donated, organized a food drive, volunteered their time, or helped spread the word!
Out & Around Town
The NK Food Pantry will be participating in community events throughout the summer, and we hope you'll stop by and say hello!
Events give us an opportunity to share information about our programs, connect with folks, answer questions, and raise awareness about food insecurity in North Kingstown. Whether you're a longtime supporter or just learning about us, we enjoy every opportunity to meet members of our community and share how we are helping neighbors in need.
This year, you can find us at Wickford Art Festival and HarborFire, as well as other events later in the year. Be sure to stop by our table, learn more about us, and discover ways to get involved through volunteering, donating, or advocating for our mission.
If you know of an event or community gathering that would be a good fit to help us spread the word, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to kristin.nkfp@gmail.com
