According to The Economic Progress Institute, it costs a single-parent family in Rhode Island $83,239 a year to raise two children. A two-parent household needs $92,375. Even a single adult must earn nearly $40,000 just to meet the basics. With costs this high, families are forced to make impossible choices – often between housing, utilities and food, let alone nutritious, wholesome food.

This burden falls hardest on communities already impacted by systemic inequities – particularly Black, Indigenous, immigrant, elderly and low-income families living in food deserts. In these neighborhoods, access to fresh, affordable and culturally appropriate food is limited or nonexistent. Neighborhood bodegas, while a community staple, offer a limited quantity of produce. Grocery stores and farmers markets are scarce. Too often, fast food is the only consistent option.

Behind every dollar cut in funding for a nonprofit such as Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) is a story: A farmer and a community will suffer the repercussions of not having enough food on their table. And in the case of the recent funding loss to SCLT, they are cutting the roots of a deeply connected, community-grown food system.

Providence, R.I. (May 27, 2025) – United Way of Rhode Island’s annual “Day of Action” is quickly approaching, and the organization is looking for additional volunteers to help prepare thousands of donated books for distribution to local children. The event is one of United Way’s largest volunteer-driven initiatives of the year to improve childhood literacy.

“Day of Action” will take place on Saturday, June 7, at United Way’s 50 Valley Street headquarters in Providence, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is a fun, family-friendly event and provides a great opportunity for individuals needing community service hours for school or professional development.

During “Day of Action,” volunteers will help with sorting, labeling, and packaging thousands of books collected during United Way’s recent Children’s Book Drive in partnership with Books Are Wings, whose mission is to put free books in the hands of kids. Thanks to the drive’s many partners, community drop-off locations, and collections organized by businesses, schools, and other groups, the effort has thus far collected more than 10,000 books.

Once the books are ready for their new homes, Books Are Wings will distribute them to children across Rhode Island through summer learning and afterschool programs.

Volunteers on “Day of Action” will receive United Way “UNITED IS THE WAY” t-shirts and refreshments, including a pizza lunch at 12:15 p.m. Families and children are welcome and encouraged to participate; those aged 16 and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

If you would like to volunteer, or if you have questions, please contact Lori DiMatteo at Lori.DiMatteo@unitedwayri.org. Volunteers may also us this link to register.

Over the past decade, United Way’s Children’s Book Drive has provided more than 300,000 books to kids throughout the Ocean State.

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United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As a member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, business, nonprofit, community leaders and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and to drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.