BankNewport Launches “Kind Souls, Full Bowls” Food Drive to benefit Operation Stand Down RI
09.30.25
Newport, RI – (September 25, 2025) – BankNewport today announced the launch of its “Kind Souls, Full Bowls” food collection drive to benefit Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI), the state’s leading nonprofit providing support to veterans and their families. From September 29th through October 17th, customers and the public are invited to donate new, unopened boxes or bags of pasta, rice, cereal, and oatmeal at any of BankNewport’s 19 branch locations statewide.
“We are proud to continue our long tradition of community giving with this year’s ‘Kind Souls, Full Bowls’ campaign,” said Jack Murphy, President & CEO, BankNewport. “Operation Stand Down Rhode Island plays an invaluable role in supporting the men and women who have served our country, and we are honored to support their mission by helping to provide meals and comfort to veterans in need.”
Since 2016, BankNewport’s seasonal “Kind Heart” and “Kind Souls” initiatives have resulted in the donation of thousands of essential items including clothing and bedding, hygiene products, and food to community organizations that serve Rhode Islanders facing hardship.
“Veterans across Rhode Island continue to face food insecurity, and this campaign directly addresses that challenge,” said Timothy Ruel, Chief of Veteran Outreach. “With the support of BankNewport and its customers, we can ensure that local veterans and their families have access to nourishing meals and the comfort of knowing their community stands with them.”
Photo Caption: BankNewport employees kick-off the “Kind Souls Full Bowls” campaign at BankNewport headquarters in Middletown, RI.
Pictured left to right: BankNewport employees Terri Margolies, Compliance Analyst; Jessica Pfefferle, Accounting Supervisor, Officer; Dawn Cochran, VP/Deposit Operations; Diana Perreault, Events and Sponsorship Coordinator; Rosalynn Cleary, Digital Banking Administrator, Officer; Meagan Andrade, AVP/Assistant Controller.
About Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI):
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Rhode Island’s primary nonprofit resource for homeless and at-risk veterans. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Johnston, OSDRI’s mission is to strengthen the veteran community by providing crucial wrap-around services.
Ending the cycle of veteran homelessness, and preventing it, requires much more than providing a roof over the head of an individual veteran or veteran family. To achieve this goal, OSDRI offers a wide range of life-changing services including supportive permanent and transitional housing, legal and VA Benefit representation, intensive case management, basic human needs assistance (for example, food and clothing) and employment training programs. For more information, please visit: About Us – OSDRI.