KINGSTON, R.I. – Jan. 14, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island’s women’s track and field team continued their efforts to support community members in need over the break – and had fun in the process. The team hosted its annual free track and field clinic for area children, which doubles as a collection drive for Rhody Outpost, the campus food pantry. The clinic’s benefit is twofold; kids kindergarten-eighth grade get a chance to try six different track and field events, and the Rhody Outpost gets a chance to replenish its reserves.

Formed as a collaboration between URI and St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Rhody Outpost provides fresh and non-perishable food, along with personal care items to any student in need. The pantry is stocked with things like pasta, peanut butter, and eggs, in addition to toiletries and cleaning supplies.

Coach Laurie Feit-Melnick said the free clinic is a perfect way to give back to the Kingston community and the Rhody family. At this year’s clinic, there were over 190 kids who donated over 200 pounds of items for the food pantry. Feit-Melnick said this year’s group of kids was the most they’ve seen in the clinic’s 13 years.

“This is something that we always do during intersession, because we’re here training as a team, and I’m always looking for activities and community service opportunities for my team,” said Felt-Melnick.

The free clinic gives URI‘s student-athletes a chance to take up the whistle. The women’s track team has about 50 athletes and each one gets a chance to coach the kids in their specialty event. The kids are split up into groups. For example, URI jumpers get 15 minutes to coach the long jump or high jump, then coach Feit-Melnick blows the whistle and another group of kids gets a chance to jump into the sandpit.

“Coaching eighth graders can be very different than a child that’s 4 years old,” said Feit-Melnick. “So, it’s awesome. I give our students a lot of responsibility, and they just do an amazing job.”

The following day, Coach Feit-Melnick delivered the food to the Rhody Outpost, where it weighed in at 203 pounds. Feit-Melnick said the person in charge of Rhody Outpost was blown away by the donation.

“We are so grateful to Laurie and her team for being such wonderful ambassadors,” said Barbara Sweeney, the food security outreach coordinator for Rhody Outpost.

The donations from the track and field team will be distributed during their hours of operation which is Mondays and Wednesdays between 3 and 5 pm. Any student who is experiencing food insecurity and would like to visit the Outpost can contact Barbara Sweeney, and fill out this form.