nonprofit

Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Rhode Island Community Food Bank is a nonprofit founded in 1982. It is the central hub for food distribution across a statewide network of 137 member agencies. Melissa Cherney is its chief executive officer.

EIN: 05-0395601rifoodbank.org

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Cherney

Key facts

Founded: 1982source
Member agencies: 137source
Leader since: September, 2025, as executive directorsource
Food distributed (stated in PBS interview): about 18 million pounds of food a yearsource
Board president: Jyothi Subramaniamsource

WYDE coverage of Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Food Policy

Rhode Island's Delegation Asks USDA to Replace 16 Canceled Food Bank Shipments

Jul 16, 2026 · 2 min read

Food Policy

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Donate $26 Million, and Nine Recipients Are Food Banks

Jul 2, 2026 · 2 min read

Sources

Rhode Island Community Food Bank: Food Bank Welcomes New CEO
PBS: One on One with Ian Donnis, 3/20/2026
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Rhode Island Community Food Bank Association

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