If you are struggling to pay for groceries for your family, you may be eligible for food stamps, WIC, free or reduced lunch and assistance from food pantries.
SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps):
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides a monthly benefit for the purchase of food items through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT). The card is used at participating supermarkets and convenience stores. The monthly amount depends on countable income and family size. Click here for income guidelines. You can apply online or you can go to your local DHS office.
Supplemental Food Program for Woman, Infants and Children (WIC):
Provides vouchers to purchase nutritionally appropriate foods and nutrition education to pregnant and post-partum women and children under age five. Click here for income guidelines. Call the Department of Health at 1-800-942-7434 to find out where to apply.
Free or Reduced School Meals:
Provides breakfast and lunch to school aged children at no or reduced cost. Click here for income guidelines. Apply through the school at the beginning of the school year.
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens:
All Saints Catholic Church: The food pantry is open to everyone who needs food on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of every month from 4pm to 5:30pm; the soup kitchen is open the third and fourth Tuesday of every month from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.
323 Rathbun Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401) 762-1100
Bryan’s Pantry: Open Thursdays from 10am to 11am. Distributes tickets at back of parking lot at 9:50am until 11am only.
190 North Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401)766-0176
Calvary Worship Center: Bread of Life soup kitchen open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30pm-6pm.
120 Prospect Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Connecting for Children and Families: Open to Woonsocket residents in need of food Tuesdays from 9am to 12pm.
Chaplin-Perez Center, 37 Center Street, Woonsocket RI 02895; (401)766-3384
Community Care Alliance: Families may receive food assistance through the Food Cupboard Network, USDA Commodities and the Milk Fund (Milk Vouchers), requires referral from CCA; Family Support Drop-In Center.
245 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401) 235-7000
Holy Trinity Church Food Pantry: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. Guests may visit monthly; Enter through back door of Rectory. Handicapped Accessible. 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401)762-5117
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church: Requires voucher from the Community Care Alliance to provide food assistance. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30pm – 2:30pm.
1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401) 762-5117
Saint Agatha’s Church: Open on first and third Fridays from 10:00 to 11:30am (must call first).
34 Joffre Avenue, Woonsocket, RI; 401-767-2950
Saint James Baptist Church: Food pantry, contact Roz Mitchel at (401) 762-0993 ext 210 or (401) 524-3282.
340 South Main Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895; Roz Mitchell at (401) 762-0993 ext 210 or (401) 524-3282
Saint James Episcopal Woonsocket: Requires voucher or referral from agency to provide food assistance, open Mondays and Wednesdays from 3pm – 4pm.
24 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket RI 02895; (401) 762-2222
Saint Joseph’s Parish: Requires referral from CCA and ID, open Fridays from 5:30pm to 6pm.
1200 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401) 766-0626
Fresh Food Access:
Burrillville Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9:30am to 12:30pm, May 20 to September 30.
Stillwater Mill Complex, 75 Tinkham Lane, Harrisville, RI
Community Care Alliance Grow Up Community Garden: 40 plots available to rent for fee of $25/season.
117 Clinton Street (lot between the Harris Public Library and Verizon), Woonsocket, RI 02895; (401) 235-7245
Connecting for Children and Families: Fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer and fall with Food Pantry Express (mid-July to mid-October), available Wednesdays from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
37 Center Street, Woonsocket, RI; (401) 766-3384
Food on the Move: Fruit and Vegetable Market
(401) 288-1956
Woonsocket Farmers Market: Tuesdays, year-round from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
Thundermist Health Center, 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895