RIDE, FeedRI, and CVS Health Mark Opening of New School-Based Food Pantry at Woonsocket High School

Published on Thursday, August 27, 2026

WOONSOCKET, RI - Today, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, FeedRI Executive Director Rhonda Lapham, and CVS Health Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy Faith Weiner joined community members, students, and staff to celebrate the opening of a new, school-based food pantry at Woonsocket High School.

The pantry will be able to serve more than two dozen families each month, with plans to expand the program to additional schools across Woonsocket. The pantry was made possible through strong public-private partnerships, including support from CVS Health. By bringing food resources directly into schools, the program helps reduce barriers and ensure families have access to healthy, reliable food in a trusted and supportive environment.

"Food security in Woonsocket is a story of corporate responsibility. While my office has been taking on big corporations that have exacerbated food insecurity in this city, CVS Health has stepped up to be good corporate neighbors and to serve the community they call home. Their generosity is a model for other companies," said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos . "I am grateful to FeedRI for their incredible work on this pantry and to the educators of RIDE and the Woonsocket School Department for working tirelessly to ensure no student goes hungry."

"Today's food pantry opening demonstrates what's possible when the state, community organizations, and corporate partners come together to support students and families," said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green . "Through these collaborations, we can remove barriers for families and create stronger opportunities for students to learn, grow, and thrive."

"Food access is an important part of helping children and families succeed," said FeedRI Executive Director Rhonda Lapham . "By bringing nutritious food directly into schools, we are making it easier for Rhode Island families to access the resources they need while creating a stronger support system around students."

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge across Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook, more than 44,000 children were enrolled in SNAP in late 2024, underscoring the ongoing need for community-based food access solutions.

"Every student deserves the opportunity to come to school ready to learn, and access to nutritious food is an important part of that equation," said CVS Health Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy Faith Weiner . "CVS Health is proud to support the opening of this new food pantry at Woonsocket High School and create healthier communities across Rhode Island."

"Our students cannot learn at their best if they're worried about not having enough food at home," said Woonsocket Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick McGee. "This pantry sends a simple but powerful message: we see our students, we care about them, and we're here to support them. Giving young people access to nutritious food helps remove barriers and allows them to come to school ready to learn and succeed."

The opening of this new food pantry in Rhode Island reflects a broader effort to address hunger holistically and reinforce the role of schools as community hubs. In recent years, RIDE, FeedRI, and CVS Health have partnered to expand school-based food access throughout the state, including most recently in May of 2026 at Nathan Bishop Middle School and Roger Williams Middle School in Providence.