Double Your Impact
Have your donation matched HERE:

CHALLENGE MET!
As of August 22, you've raised $101,521 to ensure we can offer healthy and varied foods in the Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry and Food 2 Friends programs.
Thank you, Newport County!
THE BACKGROUND:
Throughout 20 long weeks of service during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MLK Community Center distributed prebagged groceries rather than hosting our normal Client Choice Food Pantry. At the same time, we were not accepting food donations from the public, for everyone's safety. Beginning in August, the MLK is moving to the “next normal:” the Food Pantry is once again open for clients to choose the foods they prefer, and donations of non-perishable food, fresh produce, personal care and household items will once again be accepted.
THE MATCH:
To inspire community giving to “Restock to Re-Open” the Food Pantry, a generous local couple is providing a $50,000 Matching Challenge. They will donate $50,000 if the MLK can raise that amount in combined cash and food donations. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar (or matched at $1 per pound of donated food, personal care, and household items) for the next 30 days, or until the match is met. NEW: As of August 14th, a generous family in Newport just added another $50,000 in matching funds. The match is now up to $100,000!
HOW TO HELP:
To have your donation count toward the match, do one (or more!) of the following:
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Donate online here and select the “ReStock to ReOpen Matching Challenge” in the optional dropdown.
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Checks can be made out to “MLKCC” and mailed to 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI 02840. Please note “ReStock Matching Challenge” in the Memo line.
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Donations of food and other items are accepted at our loading dock Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We follow strict safety guidelines as outlined by the Rhode Island Department of Health, so masks are required. When you arrive, please note that your donation is for the “ReStock Matching Challenge” to meet the match. A list of our urgent needs is available here.
track our progress:

FOOD
$50 will pay for
Food for Lunch & Learn
serving 45 seniors
$100 will pay for
food for 2 Family Dinners
serving 75 families
$1,000 will pay for
food and fuel for
50 Food 2 Friends clients
$6000 will pay for a
½ gal of milk per family
each month

EDUCATION
$50 will pay for
Art classes for 45 students
In the afterschool program
$100 will pay for
4 water testing kits for
Summer Adventure Camp
$1000 will pay for
One child to attend
Summer Adventure Camp
$5,000 will pay for
one week of healthy breakfast,
lunch, and snack for 45 kids

COMMUNITY
$50 will pay for
Two fitness classes for
12 adults each class
$100 will pay for
a LivFit cooking class
for 10 adults
$1000 will pay for
nutrition counseling for
13 individuals
$5000 will pay for
fitness equipment
For our wellness center
You can be the person who strengthens Newport County
Your contribution to the MLK Community Center makes a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable of our neighbors.
There are numerous ways to give. You can:
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Make a secure online donation using your Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card.
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Send in a contribution. Checks should be made payable to MLKCC and mailed to: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, RI 02840
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You may charge your gift by telephone. Be sure to have ready the amount you wish to donate, your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card number, the CVV code, and the expiration date. Call Alyson Novick, Director of Development, at 401-846-4828 x102 or email anovick@mlkccenter.org.
Your support will have results – students in our preschool will begin school ready to learn, students and their families in the After School Academy will have academic support and enrichment activities, families will have access to nutrition education, fresh produce, and food that meets their dietary and cultural tastes through the Feed a Friend food pantry, just to name a few.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and all charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you want to find out more about us before you make a gift, we encourage you to check out more of our website or schedule a tour of our programs with Alyson Novick, Director of Development, by contacting her at anovick@mlkccenter.org or (401) 846-4828, extension 102.
Thank you for your interest and support!
EIN: 05-0271882
Donor Testimonial
"There's so much need and we believe in what the MLK Community Center does. It feels good to know our special day will do some good in the community."
- Couple celebrating 50th anniversary who directed gifts to the MLK