PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket Soup Kitchen will not be evicted by the Diocese of Providence, and will be allowed to stay in its Walcott Street headquarters through the end of the calendar year.
The city announced Monday that the organization, which officials noted has “served some of the city’s most vulnerable residents for decades,” will remain at its current location through December while efforts continue to establish a permanent home.
Through conversations with Bishop Bruce Lewandowski and the Diocese of Providence, the Soup Kitchen received approval to continue operating at its current location through December 2026. During that time, the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency (PRA) and Mayor Donald Grebien said they’ve worked with Executive Director Adrienne Marchetti and the Soup Kitchen’s Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Mary Bray, to identify a temporary location that will allow services to continue as plans for a permanent facility advance.
“This is an important first step, but our work does not end with a temporary location,” said Grebien in a release. “The Pawtucket Soup Kitchen has been a cornerstone of our community for decades, providing nutritious meals and compassionate support to our neighbors who need it most. Our goal is to ensure this vital service remains in Pawtucket and has a permanent home where it can continue to grow and serve our residents for years to come.”
Here’s our story from over the summer on Director Adrienne Marchetti saying the organization was being forced out of their longtime facility.
The Soup Kitchen, with support from the city, is also exploring a potential partnership with Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (BVCHC) to develop a permanent facility on East Avenue, adjacent to BVCHC’s main location. The proposed site could bring food security, health care, and supportive services together, connecting residents to nutritious meals, health screenings, vaccinations, preventive care, and other essential resources.
“The possibilities presented by this partnership are tremendous,” Grebien said. “By bringing together the city of Pawtucket, the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, BVCHC, and other community partners, we have an opportunity to do more than simply find a building. We can create a place where residents can access nutritious food, health care, and other essential resources in one location. This could become a model for how community organizations work together to address the broader needs of the people we serve.”
Grebien said the city is grateful to BVCHC for exploring funding and partnership opportunities that could help make a permanent East Avenue location possible.
“The city also thanks Bishop Lewandowski, the Diocese of Providence, the PRA, the Soup Kitchen’s Board of Directors and volunteers, and all community partners supporting the organization during this transition,” states the release.
“Our mission has always been to serve our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and hope,” said Bray. “We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Grebien, the City of Pawtucket, the Diocese of Providence, the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, and all of our partners who have stepped forward to help us navigate this transition. Their commitment means we can continue providing meals and support to those who rely on us while we work together toward a permanent home.”
“The city’s efforts will continue beyond the temporary relocation to ensure the Soup Kitchen has something lasting,” Grebien said. “I want to thank everyone willing to come to the table and help us find a path forward. We are committed to working with all partners to develop a permanent solution that meets the needs of our residents and strengthens the services available to them.”
Additional information regarding the temporary transition, operating schedule, and services will be shared directly by the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen.
