The St. Francis “Bread & Blessings Sandwich Program” program provides food for men, women and children who are living on the streets and/or spending nights in homeless shelters. An average of 200 food bags containing two sandwiches, snacks, and coffee or hot chocolate are distributed every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at St. Francis Chapel & City Ministry Center courtyard in downtown Providence.

This program is directed by a Franciscan Friar, completely ‘staffed’ by volunteers and administratively supported by the Chapel.

The purpose of the program is to ensure that some of the most vulnerable and most in need people in Rhode Island receive nutritious food on a consistent basis. It is the goal of the Chapel to be able to expand the program as necessary by feeding the ever-increasing number of individuals in need. Since the program started in November 2003, the average number of people served each day has nearly doubled from 100 to 190. Our goal is to be able to provide food bags to everybody who is in need, even as that number surpasses 200 people per day.