Holiday Programs Bring Food & Cheer to our Neighbors

For many years Capital City Community Centers has brightened the holiday season for the families of Providence’s Smith Hill and surrounding neighborhoods. And this past Thanksgiving and Christmas was no exception.

On Tuesday, November 22, food baskets and boxes containing all of the ingredients required for a Thanksgiving dinner were distributed to 85 Smith Hill families. Each box or basket also included a supermarket gift card that could be redeemed for a fresh turkey or other fresh items at area supermarkets.

The effort was made possible through the generous contributions of the following companies and organizations:

• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI – Provider Relations Dept.
• Bryant University
• The Foundry Development Corp.
• Mt. Pleasant Hardware
• Nathaniel Greene Middle School
• Nixon Peabody
• Piccerili & Gilstein 
• Shaw’s Supermarkets
• Stop & Shop Supermarkets

Christmas Toy Distribution

Capital City’s was one of several distribution points for the annual Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)/Hasbro Toy Distribution. This program makes toys available to all children who are connected to DHS services. It is estimated that some 2,500 DHS children reside within the geography assigned to Cap City.

Holiday Adopt-a-Family/Senior Program

Cap City continued its Adopt-a-Family/Senior Program again this year, our effort to ensure that children and seniors connected to us receive gifts during the holiday season. As you might imagine, the logistics of assembling family wish lists, placing all of the families, picking-up and distributing gifts is no small task. In all, some 213 family households and 422 children and seniors received presents and gift cards through this effort.

“The response to our holiday appeal was truly overwhelming,” said Susan Stevenson, Capital City’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are so grateful for all of the companies, organization and individuals who made this possible.” 

We offer our thanks to the following contributors to the Holiday Adopt-a-Family/Senior Program:

• Barrington Neighborhood Group
• Brown University Students
• Providence College Students
• The Castellone Family
• Lisa Camuso
• The Kopech Family
• Kathryn Nicodemus
• St. Pius Church Parishioners
• Rhode Island Department of Health
• Rhode Island Supreme Court
• United Natural Foods International