What’sUpNewp and Caleb & Broad Are Coordinating “100 for $100”, An Effort To Rally Local Business Owners To Help Support and Feed Our Hungry Newport County Neighbors.
This story was originally published on October 1st, it is updated throughout the day to add businesses and a new total.
If you hadn’t heard, the food pantry at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLK Center) is extremely desperate for donations and food, high demand for food throughout Newport County has left their commercial shelving empty.
Here’s why we are struggling to feed your hungry Newport County neighbors: We’ve already distributed over 106,000 meals this year. Food donations to the RI Community Food Bank are in decline and what is available lacks variety. That means we’re using cash resources to purchase food we can’t get at the Food Bank.
Seniors, singles, moms, dads and their kids look to us for food year-round. SNAP benefits — for those who qualify — are just that: supplemental. As an example, a single senior receives less than $16.00 per month in nutrition assistance benefits. The MLK Center’s Hunger Services programs are a critically important safety net for our community.
We do not have enough food on hand to last through the next two months. Please, will you help stock our shelves and donate food now?
Following that e-mail from the MLK Center, we believe now is the time for local business owners (us included) to come together and donate as a group of business owners.
What’sUpNewp and Caleb & Broad are kicking off a campaign on October 1st where we are looking for at least 100 other Newport County business owners to pledge a check/donation for at least $100. If they are a restaurant, they can also work with their purveyors/vendors to provide at least $100 in non-perishable food.
Why are checks better? Because it allows the MLK Center to purchase exactly the food that is most urgently needed. As a registered 501(c)(3) corporation, your donation to the MLK Community Center is fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
We as a business community are going to try to hit that goal of 100 between October 1st – October 15th to help OUR community food bank get through the next two months, the holiday season and hopefully the winter. If you know or work for a local business, please ask management or ownership to join this rally!
If you don’t know, the MLK Community Center provides food assistance and nutritional education to anyone in need throughout Newport County. Their Breakfast Program, the only daily meal site in Newport County, provides a nutritious meal for seniors, families, and residents to begin their day. It is open daily from 7:30-8:30 am at the Edwards Street entrance. The Feed a Friend Food Pantry, open from 10am – 2pm.
What’sUpNewp can pick up checks from businesses, you can drop it off on your own or you can reach out to Alyson Novick at the MLK Center at anovick@mlkccenter.org or 401-846-4828 x102. All checks should be made out to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.
Businesses Who Have Already Pledged: (Follow the Facebook Event for Updates)
(If you’d like to add your business to this list, please e-mail Ryan@whatsupnewp.com or call 401-662-1653)
This is being updated as businesses sign on.
- What’s Up Newp
- Caleb & Broad
- Style Newport
- Kristen Coates
- Lemon and Line
- D.F. Dwyer Insurance Agency
- Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center
- Diego’s Newport
- The Wharf Pub Newport
- Diego’s Bodega
- NPT Sportswear
- Admiral Fitzroy Inn
- Embrace Home Loans
- The Newport Sweet Shoppe
- Laura Jean
- Sardella’s Italian Restaurant
- Marina Cafe and Pub
- King Lens
- Executive Charter Services
- Rich Brandariz Team at AnnieMac Mortgage
- Ember ChurchMiddletown
- Franklin And Company
- Anonymous ($500)
- Wish Newport
- Team One Newport
- Athalia of Newport
- Fitzpatrick Team
- Neville Architecture
- Newport Blues Cafe
- JF3 Salon & Spa
- Elite Auto Repair
- The Bodhi Spa
- Isoude
- Mahatma Yoga Studio
- Al Fresco Composites
- newportFILM
- Sea Angel Salon
- Ryan Medical
- Teri Degnan
- Artful Lodger
- Outradius Designs LLC
- Corner Cafe
- Mokka Coffeehouse
- Francis Malbone House
- Tenth Gate Yoga
- Ebb & Flow
- Drupal Connect
- Arch Beauty Salon
- Sail Newport
- Brian Booth/Booth Parking
- Hyatt Regency Newport
- Worldways Social Marketing
- Parlor Bar & Kitchen
- Newport Nautical Supply
- International Tennis Hall Of Fame
- Anonymous
- William Street Properties
- Anchor Steam Tattoo
- Boru Noodle Bar
- Gutterbrush Simple Gutter Guard
- Aspire Dermatology
- Pink Pineapple
- Wag Nation
- Making A Scene Productions
- Gray Matter Marketing
- Newport Hospital
- Lou Lou ‘ Decor
- RI Waterfront Events
- Ben’s Chili Dogs
- O’Reilly and Skuncik, Ltd.
- Sole Desire
- Run Newport
- The Flop Up Shop
- Harrison & Pike
- Seashells In Bloom
- 20Eight2 Collaborative
- Bite Me Bait
- Allens’ Wine & Spirits
- OnTheRecordRI.com
- Ish Sauze
- Hydrangea House Inn
- Havener Capital Partners LLC
- King Ramseys Bitters
- Kind Spirits
- Monelle
- Warner Realty Group
- Innovative Construction
- Gordon King/Hogan Associates
- Duris Studios
- Chef Kyle Stamps, Newport Restaurant Group
- Kehew and Vaillancourt Insurance
- Bellevue Wine & Spirits
- Newport Playhouse
- Law Office of Dawn Eur
- Towerhill Associates
- Spire Space
- Marc Allen Fine Clothiers
- Sam Durfee House
- 6 Square Design
- Pour Judgement
- BENRUS
- ESHRI
- Ida’s Restaurant
- Shana McDonouth, LCMT
- Tresor Estate Sales
- Speakeasy Bar & Grill
- A-1 Roofing and Construction
- Buckley Heating and Cooling
- Newport Lamp & Shade Company
- Newport Polo
- Camden Murphy (Artist)
- Joseph J. Nicholson, Jr., Esq.
- Newport This Week
- Simpatico
- Newport Harbor Corp.
Pledged Check Donations: $16,350
Pledged Food Donations: $300
Know a local business owner, ask them to take “The Pledge”. Our neighbors are relying on it.
The Following Businesses Are Also Planning Food Drives:
*Caleb & Broad: October 14 – 23. Receive 5% off of your entire bill (up to 20%) for every canned food you bring in.
*Style Newport: Style Newport is serving as drop off point for people that would like to drop off non-perishable food in Downtown Newport in October. Just pull up in front of the store at 306 Thames Street and they will pick up your bags and bring it to the MLK Center.
*Wish Newport: Canned food drive during month of October,5% off for every canned food item you bring in (up to 20%off)
Many hands make light work, if we can all come together we can really make an impact on this serious need in the Newport County community.
While this effort is to recruit local business owners to come together to help make a difference, anyone can help out this cause by donating canned goods or by making a tax-deductible donation to the MLK Center.
For more information on this 100 for $100 Drive, contact me at Ryan@whatsupnewp.com or call 401-662-1653.
For more information on the MLK Center, visit http://www.mlkccenter.org/.
