Making a Difference, One Sandwich at a Time

On the wall of Providence Vegan Deli on Hope Street, owner Rich Gaccione has a sign posted offering no-questions-asked sandwiches on the house, with tearable meal tickets letting customers discretely take him up on the offer. It’s Gaccione’s way of paying it forward and doing his part to help those who are in need of a meal, for any reason. 

In a landscape where hunger is a growing problem for many households, Gaccione’s efforts make an impact, and in a way that lets those in need of help preserve their dignity. The free sandwich program is possible thanks to the generosity of supporters and customers keeping it afloat.

Jim Nellis, founder of RI FOOD FIGHTS, met Gaccione during the 10th Annual #BestSandwichRI Showdown. After learning of his initiative to feed the hungry, he shares, “Rich is a good dude doing great things and I thought I could help.” Nellis, who is known in the community for his philanthropy work with RI FOOD FIGHTS, set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help offset the cost of the food given to those in need. 

Folks are encouraged to donate any amount. Everything helps the cause. Nellis is also donating $10 of every VEG OUT RI Passport purchased to the effort. VEG OUT RI is the BIGGEST celebration of the BEST plant-based cuisine in RI and runs the entire month of September.

Founded in 2011, RI FOOD FIGHTS is an event-based social media marketing company focused on the food and beverage community in Rhode Island. Last year alone, RI FOOD FIGHTS partnered with 384 restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries across the state.

They not only unite the statewide community around their monthly “Best of” competitions, but also give back. Past fundraisers include raising money to send the Central Falls High School chess team to nationals (which Alec Baldwin notably donated to); sponsoring the RI Feeds Our Heroes GoFundMe with Providence Bagels and Ampersand Creative, which donated $30,000 worth of gift cards to frontline workers during COVID; and donating two passports for a year’s worth of events to non-profit fundraisers and raffles at least twice a month.

Whether making a direct donation through their GoFundMe or purchasing a VEG OUT passport, anyone can help Gaccione on his quest to feed those in need, one sandwich at a time. Folks are encouraged to donate any amount. Everything helps the cause. Nellis is also donating $10 of every VEG OUT RI Passport purchased to the effort. VEG OUT RI is the BIGGEST celebration of the BEST plant-based cuisine in RI and runs the entire month of September. Use promo code: 'HungryRI' to identify purchases for $10 contributions.