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H 7401Funding & Budget

Making an Appropriation of $75,000 for the Jewish Collaborative Services

This resolution appropriates $75,000 to Jewish Collaborative Services to support their social service programs, including food and housing assistance.

Held for study
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 28, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes a state appropriation of $75,000 to Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. JCS is a nonprofit community service agency that provides a wide range of social services, including food assistance, housing support, and resources for underserved populations in Rhode Island. The funding is intended to help sustain and strengthen the organization's programs, which serve seniors, adults, children, and families across the state.

The bill highlights that JCS offers culturally competent resources, such as Rhode Island's only kosher food pantry, a senior congregate kosher meal site, and Kosher Meals on Wheels. While guided by Jewish values, the organization's services are inclusive and available to all Rhode Islanders facing hardship, with a focus on vulnerable groups like low-income households, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities.

For younger readers

This bill gives $75,000 of state money to a charity called Jewish Collaborative Services. This charity helps people in Rhode Island who need food, housing, or other support. The money will help them keep providing meals and services to families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
SeniorsLow-income householdsImmigrantsPeople with disabilitiesJewish community membersRhode Islanders facing food or housing insecurity

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has the standard authority to appropriate state funds for public purposes, including supporting community nonprofits.

Estimated cost
$75,000
Estimated revenue
Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Supports a nonprofit providing critical social safety net services like food and housing assistance.
  • Directly helps vulnerable populations, including low-income households, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
  • Funds culturally competent resources, such as the state's only kosher food pantry.
  • Represents a one-time specific appropriation rather than systemic, long-term funding for social services.
  • Some may prefer state funds to be distributed through competitive grants rather than direct legislative carve-outs.
For Conservatives
  • Supports a private nonprofit organization doing community work, which can be more efficient than state-run agencies.
  • Helps vulnerable seniors and families in need through established community networks.
  • Has strong bipartisan sponsorship, indicating broad agreement on the organization's value.
  • Increases state spending by $75,000.
  • Directs taxpayer money to a specific private organization rather than using a competitive bidding or grant process.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) is a nonprofit community service agency providing resources and supports to Rhode Island households in need; and

WHEREAS, JCS was formed in 2018 as a merger of Jewish Family Services (est. 1929) and Jewish Seniors Agency (est.1887), becoming an integrated social service and housing agency providing critical programs and services that address food insecurity, housing instability, and access to essential resources for underserved communities; and

WHEREAS, The mission of JCS is to provide a continuum of support services, guided by Jewish values, that strengthen the well-being of our community members; and

WHEREAS, JCS manages a full spectrum of services and programs addressing the most pressing challenges at-risk individuals face, related to health, social isolation, housing, nutritional, or emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, JCS services center the Jewish community while also being inclusive and open to all Rhode Islanders in need. Programs extend beyond the Jewish community to support anyone facing hardship, with a particular focus on populations often underrepresented or overlooked, like seniors, low-income households, immigrants, and people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, JCS provides culturally competent resources unavailable anywhere else in Rhode Island, including the State’s only kosher pantry, senior congregate kosher meal site, and Kosher Meals on Wheels; and

WHEREAS, The organization receives funding from foundations, grants and individual contributions; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) to Jewish Collaborative Services to sustain, nurture, and strengthen the well-being of seniors, adults, children, and families throughout Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $75,0 FOR THE JEWISH COLLABORATIVE SERVICES *** This resolution would appropriate the sum of $75,000 to Jewish Collaborative Services.