All donations were transported to Providence High School, which served as the distribution site. On the morning of the distribution, staff and volunteers arrived early to sort food, pack bags, and prepare the space to welcome families.
In addition to food, the team addressed another urgent wintertime need: warm clothing. Approximately 30 coats were distributed to children and adults. The coat effort was led by Chris Cruz, Dean of School Culture, who coordinated the collection and personally donated two large bags of brand-new coats in a wide range of sizes.
Volunteers came from Envision Elementary School and from Achievement First staff across the region, with many also bringing family members and turning the day into a shared, multigenerational effort. We are grateful to the Envision staff members who volunteered throughout the day—helping with set-up, packing, and distribution—including Teri Heavey-Pimental, Kayla Donnelly, Tony Alexandre, Yanerca “Yaya” Marte, Diem Pham, and Christopher Otis. We also extend our thanks to Jillian Fain, Shawna Melton, Laura Etkind, who volunteered alongside her daughter, and Tom McDermott, Regional Executive Director of Achievement First Rhode Island, for their time and support.
Despite the cold and long hours, the atmosphere remained steady and positive. Volunteers spoke about how meaningful it felt to support families directly—and how powerful it was to come together in response to a shared moment of need. “This wasn’t just about giving out food,” Charisse said. “It was about showing families that they’re not navigating these changes alone.”
One moment, in particular, captured that spirit. In the days leading up to the drive, a family reached out to ask if they could donate something a little different. They arrived with boxes containing birthday cake mix and frosting, adding a small note of celebration to the bags families would take home.
The donation came from Emily Popov, a teacher at Providence Middle School, and her mother.
For many families, the most meaningful part of the day was seeing familiar faces. Teachers and school staff greeted them, helped carry bags, and paused to talk. These interactions reflected a deeper commitment—one rooted in long-standing relationships between schools and the families they serve.
The #AFTogether Food Drive and Distribution in Rhode Island is part of a broader commitment across Achievement First. Similar community food drives and distributions are planned in New York and Connecticut in the coming months, continuing this effort to respond to families’ needs with care, dignity, and connection.
In the end, the message was simple: families showed up, staff showed up, and a community responded—together.
