​BankNewport extended a $5,000 grant to East Bay Food Pantry (EBFP) to help fund their Access Nutrition Initiative, an innovative and award-winning array of programs offering high-quality, healthy foods and nutrition education.   

The primary goal of the Pantry’s Access Nutrition Initiative is to consistently offer whole grains, olive oil, high quality protein and dairy items, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in all forms to clients who rely on the EBFP to supplement their food needs.   

EBFP is committed to building a nutrition conscious culture year-round, not just during the growing season.  This holistic approach includes educating staff and volunteers, along with offering activities for clients & children focused on health eating, all designed to make a positive impact on the lives of those most vulnerable Rhode Island families.

EBFP serves over 800 individuals each month, with more than 2,300 East Bay residents receiving assistance from one or more of the comprehensive Access Nutrition Initiative programs throughout the year.  Clients are served free of charge at the Pantry every Wednesday and are also invited to visit on “Fresh Food Fridays” to select available produce and bread. The Thrift Shop is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, with thrift shop proceeds used to purchase food for the Pantry.

Established in 2009, the East Bay Food Pantry serves over 1,000 low-income, at-risk families and their children residing in East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton and Aquidneck Island.  The Pantry operates with a mission of engaging, educating and empowering the East Bay in creating a hunger-free community. For more information about the East Bay Food Pantry contact 401.396.9490.  

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island.  In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services.  With 15 banking offices and $1.4 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. 

Liz Tanner
​Executive Vice President- Client Services
Rhode Island Commerce Corporatio

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is starting a new series called “Q&A with the RI Commerce Corporation.” We are hoping to hear from you, the businesses in RI, to answer questions that you may have about programs, services or resources that exist for your business. We will also address any concerns you may have regarding the process of “doing business in RI” and inform you of any news you may find useful.

Q. Whom can I call for questions about starting or growing my business?
A. The Business Navigation Center, supported by the Client Services team at RI Commerce, serves as a single point of contact for all business needs in Rhode Island. Whether you are looking to start or grow and/or diversify, the Business Navigation Center plays a vital role by providing professional and coordinated assistance and informing you of the many programs and services available to business in the areas of technical assistance, financial resources and workforce development. The Center’s team is tasked with providing exemplary customer service to a business in need by responding to all inquiries in 24 hours or less. By building relationships and aligning resources, the Business Navigation Center has tapped into a statewide network of resources for every growth stage of a business. For more information, visit www.commerceri.com or call 401-278-9100 to speak to a Client Services advisor today.

Q. I am interested in doing business with the government. Where do I start?
A. Located at the RI Commerce Corporation, the Rhode Island Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (RI PTAC) is a member of a nationwide network of 97 federally funded PTAC centers providing a variety of services to Rhode Island–based businesses of all sizes, to help them navigate the complexities of contracting with federal agencies, state purchasing departments and local government. The RI PTAC is a Partner Program of the RI Commerce Corporation. RI PTAC services are free to all Rhode Island businesses. The RI PTAC will help businesses with government registrations, bid match profiles, market research, capture management and contract requirements. They will guide you through all facets of contracting including acquisition planning, subcontracting, solicitation analysis, proposal development, dispute mitigation, cost/price analysis and postaward administration. The RI PTAC team has significant, hands-on industry and government experience in business development, contracts management and administration. For more information, visit www.riptac.org or call 401-278-9100 and asked to be connected to a representative from PTAC.

Have a question you would like answered? Email Liz Tanner at elizabeth.tanner@commerceri.com.

Ongoing Events & Deadlines:
P-TECH Community Partnership applications for the 2017-2018 school year are being accepted
STAC Internship Grants and SBIR/STTR Phase 0 Grant applications are being accepted
Renewable Energy Fund grant applications for Commercial and Small-Scale projects are now available. Get the application >>

Click here for the complete calendar of events.

You are cordially invited to a night of art, featuring  the work of Brian Fox and Erika Wolf Houghton on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Barrington Christian Academy, 9 Old County Road, Barrington. Admission is free and open to the public. Student Ambassadors will be available for school tours.
 
Brian Fox is a nationally-renowned artist specializing in painting athletes & celebrities. His forte and passion centers on sports and music but his ability and experience extend far beyond that scope. Brian has painted some of the biggest icons of our time, including the late Jackie Robinson, Keith Richards, Derek Jeter, Jim Morrison, Mark Wahlberg, Gene Simmons, Johnny Depp, Muhammad Ali, and Mixed Martial Arts Champion Georges St-Pierre, to name just a few.
Over the course of Brian’s 20-year career, Brian has forged numerous relationships with athletes and organizations such as Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Ryan Howard, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Hockey League, Rachel Robinson and many more in order to raise substantial money for their favorite charitable organizations, including the ALS Association, Major League Baseball Players Trust, Josh Beckett Foundation, Ryan Howard Family Foundation, Providence College, Hockey Fights Cancer and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Erika Wolf Houghton is a ceramic handbuilder who’s passionate about pinch pots! Her pinch-pot piggy banks are both functional and decorative. Each piggy is one-of-a-kind and is inspired by the antics of her own young children or from memories of her childhood. These whimsical, meticulously hand-crafted, heirloom-quality pieces are sure to make you chuckle!
Erika’s second line of work is a bit more “serious.” Her pinch-pot Raku-fired planters are all about the process. They incorporate elements of her graphic design background and focus on shape, balance, line, texture, and unique color. Erika is passionate about Raku and loves the unpredictable, exciting, and surprising nature of the process. Each piece is unique and couldn’t be reproduced if one tried! When a pot is complete, she hand-selects a tiny succulent plant based on its shape, texture, and color. The sculptural quality of the succulents are an extension of her pots and enhance the organic beauty of each piece!
Erika is currently the featured ceramic artist for the month of October at Made In Warren, an award-winning artist cooperative shop located at 476 Main Street, Warren, RI. Open 10am-6pm daily.