The Town Council and MLK Center want to help residents in need with the #MiddletownRI Meals Community Challenge. Each week, donations of specific items are sought starting Monday with cereal products. If 250 boxes are donated, the council will match it.
MIDDLETOWN MEALS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE TO ASSIST THOSE IN NEED
MIDDLETOWN, RI (NOVEMBER 6, 2025) – The Town Council is working to help its most vulnerable residents directly.
Concerned with the level of need in town, local leaders unveiled the Middletown Meals Community Challenge today to help those who might be struggling to put food on the table.
Coordinated with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, each week residents and businesspeople are asked to donate one high demand item to the challenge. This can be done either at one of the numerous municipal drop-off sites in town or the Newport nonprofit on Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard directly.
If 250 of the items are provided, council leaders have pledged their support to match the donations on a one-to-one basis.
In Week 1 starting Monday, Nov. 10, MLK Center officials said they’re most in need of boxes of cereal according to those who use the food pantry.
“We’ve been talking about what we can do and the Middletown Meals Community Challenge is an outstanding way to show we care and understand what people are going through,” council President Paul M. Rodrigues said. “We’re looking at everything we can do to help because we know times are tough and we’re all going to get through this together. That’s what we do in Middletown, we rally to support each other.”
“Working with Middletown leaders on a number of issues, we know they care and this is another way they’re showing it,” MLK Center Executive Director Heather Hole Strout said. “This is another reason I am proud to be a Middletowner. We’ve been seeing huge numbers but are meeting the need and have been getting an incredible amount of support. Please keep spreading the word to anyone who needs help.”
Coordinating the town’s outreach efforts, Middletown Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships Lori Turner said she’s been thrilled with the response so far. The Middletown Employee Wellness Committee is sponsoring a food drive through Nov. 21.
Drop-off locations for the food drive are the Department of Public Works at 9 Berkeley Ave.; the Fire Department at 239 Wyatt Road; the Middletown Public Library at 700 West Main Road; the Middletown Senior Center at 650 Green End Ave.; the Police Department at 123 Valley Road and Middletown Town Hall at 350 East Main Road.
“It’s very generous of the Town Council to step up and issue this challenge,” Turner said. “We see the town’s heart over and over again, but this really proves it. It makes me proud to work here and help so many the way we do.”
The Middletown Meals Community Challenge requested donation items are as follows:
Week 1 (Nov. 10-16): Cereal
Week 2 (Nov. 17-23): Canned red kidney beans
Week 3 (Nov. 24-30): Soap
Week 4 (Dec. 1-7): Tomato products like canned sauces, pastes, crushed, stewed and whole tomatoes
Week 5 (Dec. 8-14): Hearty soups, chilis and stews
Gift cards and checks are always appreciated too. To give to the MLK Center directly, go to https://mdl.town/MLKCC online. The number 250 was chosen for the challenge as a nod to the upcoming 250th birthday of America in 2026.
For more about the array of services available from Middletown and its community partners, go to https://mdl.town/Services online.
All the food and donations collected go to MLK Center and its continuing quest to help those in need. The MLK Center’s hunger relief programs include the Island Oasis Food Pantry at Middletown High School and the monthly Mobile Food Pantry in local neighborhoods.
If you want to place a collection box at your business or organization to assist the Middletown Employee Wellness Committee food drive, please get in touch with Turner.
If you’re looking to speak with someone directly, contact the following individuals:
- For the Middletown community, contact Turner at lturner@middletownri.gov or 401-842-6599.
- For the Middletown senior population, contact the Middletown Senior Center at akaull@middletownri.gov or (401) 849-8823.
- For the Middletown schools, contact Homeless and Family Liaison Megan Mainzer at mmainzer@mpsri.net or (401) 849-2122.
“Our town has given me and the rest of the council so much and this just feels like the right thing to do,” Rodrigues said. “We’re looking at everything we can to help ease the burden on our Middletown residents and this is one way we can help and hopefully everyone rises to the Middletown Meals Community Challenge.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Meals
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov