Council approves $150,000 fund‑balance allocation to food pantry capital campaign

The North Kingstown Town Council approved a one‑time allocation of $150,000 from the town’s fund balance to the capital campaign for the local food pantry’s planned expansion.

Town Manager Ralph told the council the pantry’s expansion cost was originally estimated near $2.4 million and that the pantry had raised roughly $556,000 so far and planned a $400,000 contribution from its capital. Ralph said the administration proposed the one‑time payment from fund balance rather than budgeting $50,000 per year for three years, which would have increased the community appropriation beyond the town’s policy cap. "I realized taking this from our fund balance and allocating to the capital campaign was a much better financial decision than budgeting $50,000 a year for the next 3 years," the manager said.

Council discussion: Council members expressed support for improving and maintaining the town‑owned building used by the pantry. Questions from members solicited details on fundraising, federal appropriation efforts and contingency plans if outside funding failed; pantry representatives said they would continue private fundraising and grant efforts and had hired a fundraiser.

Vote: A motion to allocate $150,000 from the fund balance for the pantry expansion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The council recorded the motion as approved; no roll‑call tally was announced.

Implementation: The funds will be disbursed to the pantry’s capital campaign; administration said the contribution would reduce pressure on future operating budgets and not require a policy exception.