Annual holiday gift drive expands to benefit three local nonprofits: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Tides Family Services, and TIMES² Academy.
December 20, 2023 (Smithfield, RI) – Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) today celebrates its annual “Gingerbread Express” children’s holiday gift drive. More than 1,000 gifts will be delivered to approximately 350 children throughout Rhode Island.
This year, Neighborhood has expanded the program to partner with three local non-profits to distribute the gifts:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (Newport)
- Tides Family Services (West Warwick, Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Middletown, Wakefield)
- TIMES² Academy (Providence)
The gifts will be delivered as a wrapped package including three items: a book or journal; a toy, game, or gift card (for teens); and a pair of gloves and hat. All gifts have been donated by Neighborhood employees, who also wrapped and helped distribute them.
“Tides is so grateful to the Neighborhood team,” said Tides Family Services’ CEO Beth Bixby. “Our organizations have worked together for many years to serve children and families across Rhode Island. We know these gifts will bring a smile and joy to so many this holiday season.”
On December 11, Tides Family Services picked up their gifts at Neighborhood’s headquarters in Smithfield, and gifts were also delivered directly to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and TIMES2 Academy for each organization to distribute.
“The Gingerbread Express is one of my favorite programs here at Neighborhood,” said Peter Marino, Neighborhood’s president and CEO. “We are happy to celebrate the holiday season by giving back to our communities. I am so proud of the Neighborhood team for their continued generosity in donating their time and talent to all we serve.”
To learn more about Neighborhood and its work in Rhode Island communities, visit www.nhpri.org.
ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood) is a not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) founded in December 1993 in partnership with Rhode Island’s Community Health Centers and the state to ensure everyone in Rhode Island has access to high quality, cost-effective health care. Neighborhood serves over 230,000 members in the state with 84 percent of its membership Medicaid eligible through its ACCESS and TRUST plans and 6 percent of its membership utilizing Neighborhood’s INTEGRITY Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP). About 10 percent of Neighborhood’s members are individuals, families and small businesses who select one of eight Neighborhood commercial plans available through the health exchange, HealthSourceRI. Of these members, about 85 percent qualify for federal subsidies to cover a portion of their costs. Today, Neighborhood—with nearly 650 employees and $1.6 billion in revenue—serves one out of every five Rhode Islanders. Learn more at nhpri.org.