NORTH PROVIDENCE – Three years after Plates with Purpose founders Jennifer Capracotta, of North Providence, and Jennifer Fantozzi, of Smithfield, launched their first community food cabinet, the Community Hope Chests are in a growing number communities and feeding many thousands of Rhode Islanders.
The program has grown quite a bit since that first Community Hope Chest was installed next to the North Providence Housing Authority at 945 Charles St., said Fantozzi, and “the need continues to increase.”
This week, after giving their Community Hope Chests some long-needed physical care, the founders posted that the cabinets were ready to be restocked, and the community came through again.
“Together, we’re feeding our neighbors with dignity, purpose, and love,” they said.
There are now five Hope Chest locations statewide, and another is on the way.
Plates with Purpose was first founded in December 2020, partnering with local restaurants to feed the hungry. The goal then was to establish another cabinet in neighboring Johnston.
Plates with Purpose is is a Rhode Island-based non-profit organization focused on addressing food insecurity across the state.
The Hope Chest program is a community food cabinet initiative created by Plates with Purpose to increase access to nonperishable household staples for Rhode Islanders experiencing food insecurity. The program began in August 2023 and is designed around a simple model: community members may take what they need and leave what they can, around the clock, “with dignity and compassion.”
Physical donations can be made at any of the following Hope Chest locations, and monetary donations can be made at www.plateswithpurpose.org.
- North Providence Hope Chest: 945 Charles St, North Providence, RI 02904 (outside of North Providence Housing Authority)
- Johnston Hope Chest: 1 Memorial Ave, Johnston, RI 02919 (outside of Johnston public library)
- Smithfield Hope Chest: 1 William J. Hawkins Trail, Greenville, RI 02828 (at entrance of Smithfield Senior Center)
- Cranston Hope Chest: 848 Atwood Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 (in front of CCAP Cranston Child Development Center)
Purpose and community orientation
The Hope Chest program is built on the principle that communities can sustain their own neighbors, say the founders. The cabinets are placed in accessible public locations and rely on ongoing community participation to keep the shelves stocked. The organization is focused on eliminating stigma associated with food insecurity, and it allows residents to normalize both giving and receiving.
Community ownership is central to the program’s sustainability, they add. Residents are encouraged to donate nonperishable staples, raise awareness, and rally others to help maintain consistent availability for neighbors who may be facing gaps in their cupboards.
Some of the most commonly requested items include canned vegetables, fruits, and proteins such as tuna or chicken, rice, pasta and jarred or boxed sauce, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, instant potatoes, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, and granola bars.
Locations and growth
After Hope Chests were installed in North Providence and Johnston, a special installation went in at the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center in Warwick, which serves women and children who are survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. This location is supported through an online wishlist to allow supporters to directly purchase items tailored to the needs of the center’s clients. The most recent cabinet was installed in Smithfield, supported by a sponsorship from blackie’s restaurant, and they are starting to plan their next location in the East Bay.
“The need has never been greater. In fact, demand at existing locations has been steadily increasing since the SNAP benefits were temporarily disrupted in November,” said Fantozzi. “It is not uncommon that full re-stocks are completely emptied within a day, underscoring the ongoing need for community participation.”
Program background
Plates with Purpose launched the Hope Chest program as an extension of its broader mission to address food insecurity statewide. Since December 2020, they’ve partnered with independently owned restaurants to distribute more than 11,600 “fresh, balanced meals” across 24 Rhode Island communities.
“The Hope Chests represent a complementary approach, one that is community-powered, dignity-driven, and designed to fill household gaps through shared responsibility and local engagement,” Fantozzi said.
