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Caring neighbors and volunteers help Rhody Outpost run

Community spirit essential to URI food pantry

URI nursing alumna Britni Turano was inspired to start volunteering at Rhody Outpost after hearing about the food pantry from another URI community member at her grocery store.

KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 9, 2026 – It takes a village, as they say — or at least someone who will ask for bags.

University of Rhode nursing alumna Britni Turano ’12 G’18 volunteers weekly at Rhody Outpost and recently secured a donation of much-appreciated paper bags from Belmont Market in Wakefield for the University of Rhode Island student food pantry.

She started volunteering at Rhody Outpost this fall and says she has enjoyed getting to reconnect with URI and help support students: “As a first-generation college student, I know what it’s like to experience financial hardships,” she says. “So I’m very happy to be able to give back.”

“Thank you to volunteers like Britni for pitching in and Belmont Market for this critical donation!” says Barbara Sweeney, URI food security outreach coordinator.

URI’s on-campus food pantry for students is open year-round. (URI Photo / Abbie Fuhrmann)

Sweeney says the Outpost appreciates the support it gets from campus and community partners like Belmont and also Stop & Shop, Seven Stars Bakery, and more. Paper bags with handles are always needed and appreciated, as well as donations from URI neighbors and community partners.

Local businesses, alumni, and URI community members can visit the Outpost’s running needs list for the latest updates.

Started in collaboration with St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, the pantry is staffed by student and community volunteers like Turano. The community food pantry is open to any student in need, providing fresh and non-perishable food and personal care items at no charge. Last semester, Rhody Outpost welcomed more than 1,000 student visits and distributed more than 17,000 pounds of food. The pantry is open for student pickup on Mondays and Wednesdays 3 to 5 p.m., and mobile order pickup is available on Thursdays.

Right now, Kind bars or dates would be especially welcome with Valentine’s Day and Ramadan approaching. Gift cards are welcome, too, and the Outpost has an Amazon wish list for easy purchasing and shopping. To learn more, visit the Outpost webpage or contact barbara_sweeney@uri.edu / 401-874-5633. Follow @urifoodsecurity for updates.