(Warwick, RI) – July 7, 2020 – Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Hope’s Harvest Initiative was among twelve recipients of HarborOne Foundation Rhode Island grants focused on helping Rhode Island individuals and families. The Hope’s Harvest investment is one part of the HarborOne Foundation Rhode Island’s total of $62,500 grants, and brings the 2020 total of grants awarded in Rhode Island to over $150,000.

The grant will be used to build capacity for Hope's Harvest RI, a farm-based food rescue initiative that fills essential gaps in the food system by providing a link between farms, volunteers, and hunger relief agencies, helping to move surplus healthy food efficiently from local farms to those who need it most. Hope's Harvest RI provides fresh, local food to more than 10,000 people a month who receive emergency food assistance from hunger relief agencies.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to support these amazing grassroots organizations that work hard to help our local communities,” said James Blake, CEO of HarborOne Bank. During these difficult times it is more important than ever that we invest in organizations working on the frontlines to provide essential services to individuals and families across Rhode Island.”

The HarborOne Foundation Rhode Island supports and celebrates the work of community non-profits including those organizations that promote educational opportunity, create access to safe and affordable housing and provide basic human services to our most vulnerable citizens. Grantees for this round of funding include:

Button Hole Summer Camp received a $2,500 grant to support the 2020 Button Hole Summer Camp which provides underserved youth ages 9 to 13 from the Providence and Pawtucket area with physical fitness training, nutrition education and golf instruction during the summer.

Dare Direct Action For Rights & Equality received a $5,000 grant to support the Tenant and Homeowner Association (THA) efforts to go door-to-door and visit 100 low to moderate income households in Providence every month, providing legal counsel and peer support to prevent evictions, foreclosure or lien sales and ensure housing safe conditions.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island received a $10,000 grant to support Hope's Harvest RI, farm-based food rescue initiative that fills essential logistical gaps in our food system, providing a link between farms, volunteers, and hunger relief agencies, and allowing them to move surplus food efficiently from local farms to those who need it most.

FirstWorks received a $2,500 grant supporting FirstWorks: Lifting Rhode Island Students through the Arts. FirstWorks serves more than 5,500 RI students by providing access to the arts, including live performances, in-school/online workshops, and curricula-aligned courses.

Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England received a $2,500 grant for after-school and/or summer programming to approximately 800 girls who reside in the Greater Providence Area and provides the Community Outreach and Extended Learning Program (COEL). Girls will fully participate at no cost to their families.

Institute for Nonprofit Practice RI received a $5,000 grant to support the next generation of nonprofit and community leaders dedicated to social change by advancing their leadership skills, increasing their social capital, and embedding students in a robust professional network to propel their careers.

Providence ¡CityArts! For Youth received a $2,500 grant to support "Studio Unbound" and City Arts’ classes that serves between 300 and 350 youth, ages 8-14.

Read to Succeed received a $2,500 grant for its 2020 Summer Reading Program providing 450 South Providence students with 2,700 free books to read over the summer. The program also provides thousands of dollars in college scholarships upon completion of reading assignments.

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence received a $5,000 grant to enhance its existing Financial Literacy Education Program for survivors of domestic violence by bringing on an additional community partner organization and reaching 75 survivors and 20 staff.

Sojourner House received a $10,000 grant to support its Residential Services Program, specifically the Rapid Re-housing Program, which helps homeless families and individuals who are fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking to have a safe place to live while they rebuild their lives.

Westbay Community Action received a $5,000 grant to assist local senior citizens with hoarding issues which can create a dangerous risk for eviction and homelessness to our elder population.

Year Up Rhode Island received a $10,000 grant to support the Year Up's Core Program that serves 180 students focusing on ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support needed to succeed in careers and higher education.