Meet the Nominees
Q4: December 2025 Nominees
Aquidneck Community Table
EIN: 45-4446964
WEBSITE: https://aquidneckcommunitytable.org/
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Mission Statement
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ACT's Purpose statement: Growing a healthy local food system accessible to all on our island.
We believe food is a human right. By connecting growers with eaters, students with soil, and neighbors with fresh local nourishment, we’re building the foundation for a food system that serves justice, sustains the environment, and strengthens our island community.
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Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) is a Newport-based nonprofit that promotes food justice. Its programs and advocacy center on making local food accessible to all on Aquidneck Island. ACT operates the Island's farmers' markets, along with a network of community gardens, farmlands, and learning programs. And it advocates for a strong and fair food system through policy and community action.
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Threaded throughout its work is a commitment to equity and being responsible stewards of available resources. It envisions a food system in which all people have access to local, healthful foods and growing opportunities that honor their cultural traditions - and wherein local food and farming businesses are thriving and contributing to the resiliency of Rhode Island's families, communities, and economy.
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Who They Serve
Aquidneck Community Table (ACT) is building a new food system on Aquidneck Island where
ACT is the only organization dedicated to comprehensive food-system transformation.
How Would Funds Be Used
ACT will use the funds to expand their free sensory- and food-based Food Explorers programming for children and families at our markets and in schools. They will purchase new, accessible supplies; update signage to be more inclusive (and co-branded with Peaceful Petals); and increase our promotions and collaborations with community orgs.
Each year, ACT markets (50+ annually) welcome 30,000 people and their school programs introduce some 800 kids to the joys and importance of growing healthful foods.
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Annual Budget
Annual Operating Budget: $499,000
Annual Operating Costs: $474,000
Sources of Funding
Grants, individual gifts, earned revenue through markets
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What inspired you to nominate this organization?
"I am nominating ACT because they are addressing near-term food insecurity, while also driving long-term system change. Their leadership is passionate and visionary, while also resourceful and scrappy. Every dollar invested in their work is a dollar well-spent ... they are an incredible well-run nonprofit that is making incredible impact in their community."
Julie Owens, 100 Women Member
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Pawtucket Backpackers
EIN: 47-5657985
Social:
FACEBOOK /pawtucket.backpackers/about
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Mission Statement
Mission: To provide supplemental food for Pawtucket students facing food insecurity on weekends
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On Wednesday mornings, volunteers meet in the cafeteria at Blackstone Academy Charter School to unload food deliveries and set up the space for packing. Together, we assemble about 500 student bags filled with nutritious food and load them into drivers’ cars. Volunteers then deliver the bags to schools, while others return extra stock to storage, take inventory, and reset the room.
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Who They Serve
Pawtucket students and their families, as well as six School-based food pantries:
The Pawtucket Backpackers is a 501(c)3 established in 2012 to provide supplemental food to Pawtucket students facing food insecurity on weekends and during school vacations. We prepare enough bags to serve approximately 500 students in 15 Pawtucket Schools each week.
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How Would Funds Be Used
This donation would enable the puchase of more nutritious food, fruit cups, applesauce, oatmeal, and granola bars, etc., supplementing what we receive from the Food Bank and outreach programs. These items total about $600+ each week for 500 students.​​
Annual Budget
They are a 100% volunteer run organization, with no paid staff.
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Sources of Funding
Grants from RI Food Bank, RI House of Representatives, Temple BethEl, Nathanael Greene Elementary PTA, Burger King, Quota Club, Stop & Shop Growin’ 4 Good, and individuals through Facebook (network for good) and Paypal​​​
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What inspired you to nominate this organization?
"Pawtucket Backpackers was mentioned in a Providence Journal volunteer column, and I visited them as volunteers were packing bags to be dispersed. I was impressed by the highly organized procedure as well as the dedication of those who saw a need and were determined to fill it."
Marti Schwartz 100 Women Member
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UPEC
EIN: 86-2397226
Website:http://urbanperinatal.org
SOCIAL
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Mission Statement
UPEC's mission is to substantially improve perinatal health outcomes among the Black and BIPOC community. On a national level, Rhode Island included, there is a Black Maternal Health crisis with an 84% preventable maternal mortality and morbidity data range. UPEC is seeking to promote community based service through education, counseling and services. UPEC is grounded in addressing perinatal disparities in communities of color through through three lenses: culturally congruent care, equity in care, and building a workforce for change. Classes are offered in nutrition, childbirth ed., mental health support, post partum and lactation ed./support. UPEC operates a Donor Milk Depot and Dispensary, and a Certified Perinatal Doula referral service. They are initiating an Easy Access Clinic on site for wellness visits to support and empower Black and BIPOC families in their own healthcare. Founded 2021 by Quatia Osorio.
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Who They Serve
Pregnant Black and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and their families
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How Would Funds Be Used
Grant funds would be used to expand their Childbirth Education classes and to sponsor 150 nursing mothers to receive in home Lactation training and lactation kits.
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Annual Budget
Annual Operating Budget: $119,000
Annual Operating Costs: $134,000
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Sources of Funding
Corporate, foundation and individual donors​
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Additional Information From The Application
The founder, Quatia Osario, is a wife and mother of 5, farmer, Certified Doula and now student-in-training midwife. She was one of a small group of RI women who successfully wrote and lobbied for legislation to require insurance companies to cover Certified Perinatal Doulas for low income families. She is a visionary who is passionate about improving health outcomes for the Black and BIPOC communities. ​
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What inspired you to nominate this organization?
"UPEC is doing the best work to improve maternal and newborn outcomes in the Black and BIPOC communites in RI. This includes pre-natal education and care, post natal lactation support, and midwife/doula training programs."
Denise Cornwall 100 Women Member
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