S 2252Funding & Budget

S2252 - Rhode Island 2026

Appropriates $75,000 to Jewish Collaborative Services to support social services and food assistance for Rhode Islanders in need.

Held for study

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Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes a $75,000 appropriation from the Rhode Island state treasury to Jewish Collaborative Services (JCS) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are intended to support the organization's ongoing efforts to sustain, nurture, and strengthen the overall well-being of seniors, adults, children, and families throughout the state. By directing state funds to this specific nonprofit, the legislature aims to bolster community-based social safety nets that assist vulnerable residents.

Jewish Collaborative Services is a nonprofit community service agency formed in 2018 through the merger of Jewish Family Services, which was established in 1929, and the Jewish Seniors Agency, established in 1887. Today, it operates as an integrated social service and housing agency providing critical programs that address food insecurity, housing instability, and social isolation. Notably, JCS provides specialized, culturally competent resources that are otherwise unavailable in Rhode Island, such as the state's only kosher food pantry, a senior congregate kosher meal site, and a Kosher Meals on Wheels program.

While guided by Jewish values and centering the Jewish community, the services provided by JCS are strictly inclusive and available to all Rhode Islanders facing hardship, regardless of their background. The organization places a particular focus on assisting underrepresented and overlooked populations, including seniors, low-income households, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities. To execute this funding, the state controller is authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer to pay the $75,000 sum upon the receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

For younger readers

This bill gives $75,000 of state money to a charity called Jewish Collaborative Services. The charity uses the money to help people in Rhode Island who need food, housing, and other support. It helps seniors, families, and people with disabilities get the things they need to live well.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

SeniorsLow-income householdsImmigrantsPeople with disabilitiesJewish community of Rhode IslandJewish Collaborative Services staff and clients

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. Legislative appropriations to nonprofits for public purposes (like food and housing assistance) are common. Because the services provided (e.g., food pantries, meals on wheels) are secular in nature and explicitly open to all Rhode Islanders, this avoids Establishment Clause issues.

Estimated cost

$75,000

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Directly funds anti-poverty initiatives like food and housing assistance.
Supports vulnerable and marginalized populations, including seniors, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
Provides funding for culturally competent services, such as kosher food pantries, which are otherwise unavailable.
Directs state funds to a specific private nonprofit rather than investing in universal, state-run social safety nets.
The $75,000 appropriation is relatively small and may not create systemic change for housing or food insecurity.

For Conservatives

Leverages a private, community-based nonprofit to deliver social services, which is often more efficient than creating new government programs.
Supports faith-guided charity work that assists the local community.
Provides targeted relief to seniors and at-risk individuals without expanding the permanent size of the state government.
Spends taxpayer money on a specific private organization, increasing state appropriations.
Some may object to state funds going to an organization with a specific religious affiliation, even if the services are open to the general public.

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.