The mission of the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families by providing comprehensive assistance to those in need of food, clothing, and household items and through individual and systemic advocacy for our clients.
Our vision is to eliminate hunger in our community.
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NEW STUDY RELEASED: Hunger in America 2010
Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, has just released a landmark study on hunger in America. The report includes data from every state, including Rhode Island. According to the report, four out of every ten households served in Rhode Island are families with children. For more information from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank about the report and to see Rhode Island statistics, click here.
The JonnycakeCenter was founded in 1973 by a group of four women who saw a need for an agency that could help people who might not qualify for support through established agencies. They named it after jonnycake meal, a basic necessity in colonial days, because their goal was to provide basic necessities for local people in need. In the beginning, we provided one pound chicken dinners to senior citizens. The Center was operated from a store front in Wakefield before moving to our present location at the rotary in Peace Dale.
Today the JonnycakeCenter’s Emergency Food Pantry provides food to individuals and families who are having a hard time making ends meet. Households can come to the Center once a month and receive nutritionally balanced food baskets that contain enough food to prepare three meals a day for an entire week for all household members.
During school vacations we offer a Vacation Breakfast and Lunch Program for school-age children of clients who received free or subsidized lunches at school. This program includes school vacations in February, April, and December as well as the entire summer break. And our Holiday Meal Programs provide complete holiday dinners at Thanksgiving and in December.
Our Retail “Thrift” Store generates revenue that is used toward the Emergency Food Pantry. The Store is open to the public, but it is also a source of free clothing and household items for clients in need. We are fully stocked and our inventory changes continually. Clothing is seasonal. We also carry furniture, books, videos and DVDs, small electronics, and a number of other household items. Come visit the Store... there is something for everyone!
