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BankNewport Supports Aquidneck Community Table’s Kids Garden Program
Aquidneck Community Table Kids Garden Program
Nurturing Healthy Habits Among Youth
BankNewport sponsorship enhances gardening and
nutritional education for Newport children
BankNewport is proud of its history of support for the Aquidneck Community Table (ACT), including their latest $2,500 sponsorship for the 2024 Kids Garden Program, which engages children in learning about healthy dietary habits and environmental stewardship through hands-on gardening activities.
In partnership with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLK Center), the Kids Garden Program offers an eight-week summer experience as part of the MLK Center Summer Adventure Camp. The program introduces students to fresh, nutritious foods and teaches them the value of healthy eating habits, environmental awareness, and community service. The initiative, which takes place at ACT’s Great Friends Community Garden in Newport, has been instrumental in fostering a love for nature and fresh produce among children who may not typically have access to such opportunities.
“We are deeply grateful for BankNewport’s continued support,” said Mary-Kate Kane, Program & Administrative Manager, Aquidneck Community Table. “Their generous sponsorship allows us to offer this enriching experience to children who might otherwise never have the opportunity to connect with nature in such a meaningful way.”
The Kids Garden Program’s curriculum is designed to engage students in grades 1 through 5 through activities such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. The children learn about the role of pollinators, the importance of a healthy diet, and the impact of gardens on environmental sustainability. At the end of the program, the produce grown by the children is donated to the Feed-A-Friend Food Pantry at the MLK Center, providing fresh, healthy food to some of Newport County’s most vulnerable residents.
About Aquidneck Community Table:
Aquidneck Community Table is dedicated to building a flourishing local food system that is healthy, accessible, and sustainable for all residents of Aquidneck Island. Through programs like the Kids Garden Program, ACT promotes food security and encourages a deeper understanding of the relationship between food, health, and community.
About BankNewport:
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the longest-standing community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.
Through its All In Giving program, BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, healthy lives, arts and culture, and the environment. BankNewport has awarded over $9.8 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past ten years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 10,000 hours annually. For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.
