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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"Some kids are going to bed hungry, and that's not okay to me."
Then First-grader Abby Stark at the March 5, 2008 Second Annual Community Conversation on Hunger held at the Peace Dale Congregational Church
The JonnycakeCenter officially opened in 1974 by community members 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. 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 including milk, eggs, and frozen meats 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 clients' children who participate in school nutrition assistance programs. This program covers 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!
