We are Ready to make a difference.
The St Edward Food And Wellness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization whereby 100% of all donations go directly to charitable operations.
Saint Edward Food and Wellness Center, located at 1001 Branch Avenue, Providence, began its operation on March 26, 2003, in response to the plight of hunger in the geographical north end of the city, a large impoverished area with limited resources, dilapidated public housing and statistically high poverty levels. More recently, needy families from nearby North Providence were added to the area of eligibility.
The Center, an all-volunteer outreach to the poor, situated in a former parochial school, is open every Wednesday from 10 AM to 12 PM and 5 PM to 6 PM. and is staffed by dedicated volunteers. Client families must register with proper documentation.
The original design of the pantry was “client choice” which enabled the clients to personally select the food items they needed from what was stocked on the shelves. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we closed our indoor premises to the public and transitioned to distributing bags filled with nutritious groceries for pick up in the Food Center parking lot. Because “client choice” is the preferred method of serving our guests (it provides more dignity through personal choice), to the extent possible, other grocery items, including refrigerated and frozen foods, fresh produce and assorted goods are displayed on tables in the lot for guests to choose what their families need. Hopefully and with the grace of God, we will return to complete client-choice soon.
Food items are collected from parishioners and purchased at a reduced cost from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The Food Center distributes over 400,000 pounds of food annually. Donations from local retailers are also distributed. Currently the Food Center is servicing over 2000 families as recorded on our database with an average of about 150 families receiving assistance weekly.
To ensure wrap-around services are available to our guests, the Food Center has partnered with several agencies who visit on a regular basis to introduce their programs to our guests. These include the United Way’s 2-1-1 van, Oak Street Health, and the University of Rhode Island’ SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Outreach Project.
Food
Providing non-perishable items to Providence families in need
Health
Through our partnership with Oak Street health, we provide periodic health screenings and over the counter medical supplies
Donations
100% of all donations go directly to inventory and assisting those in need
