Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation to Launch Mission Kitchen, New Mobile Food Trailer Aiding Underserved Communities Throughout New England
Mission Kitchen to debut with OSJL associate celebration and event in Providence for children with developmental disabilities
What:
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation will launch Mission Kitchen, its new mobile food trailer created to bring fresh, nutritious meals directly into the heart of underserved communities in Rhode Island and beyond.
Mission Kitchen represents the next evolution of OSJL’s long-standing commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting neighbors in need. Designed to operate year-round, the mobile food trailer will donate and serve fresh, protein-rich and seasonally tailored meals, helping OSJL meet communities where they are, whether through community events, nonprofit partnerships or direct meal distribution efforts.
The initiative is expected to support 12 to 15 distribution events per year, beginning in Greater Providence and expanding to nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut. In addition to serving meals, Mission Kitchen will create hands on opportunities for community partners and volunteers to work alongside OSJL, connect with local families and help bring meaningful support directly into neighborhoods.
Mission Kitchen partners include Sid Wainer & Son, The Chefs Warehouse, FeedRI, Polar, iHeart Media, Panera Bread, and Elmwood Sports Center.
Mission Kitchen will debut the week of July 6 with an associate event in North Kingstown and a donation event in Providence, where the trailer and OSJL representatives will be on-site and available for photos, video and interviews.
Media Opportunity #1: Mission Kitchen Corporate Launch
Mission Kitchen will be introduced to Ocean State Job Lot associates at the company’s headquarters in North Kingstown. The trailer will be parked near the corporate associate entrance, where associates will celebrate the launch with donuts from Knead Donuts and coffee from Bolt Coffee.
David Sarlitto, Vice President of Corporate Giving at Ocean State Job Lot, will be available for media interviews.
When:
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where:
Ocean State Job Lot Headquarters
375 Commerce Park Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Who:
Ocean State Job Lot leadership and associates; David Sarlitto, Vice President of Corporate Giving, Ocean State Job Lot.
Media Opportunity #2: Mission Kitchen Community Event in Providence
Ocean State Job Lot is partnering with FeedRI, Community Angels, The Autism Project, Foster Forward, Mentor Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Bolt Coffee, Knead Doughnuts, The Chefs Warehouse, Sid Wainer & Son, the Providence Police Department and Elmwood Sports Center to host a community event for children with developmental disabilities at the John H. Rollins Recreation Center in Providence.
Mission Kitchen will serve a donated lunch to the children, including pizza, chips and watermelon. The event will also include a magic show beginning at 11:00 a.m. and animals from Roger Williams Park Zoo for children to meet.
The Governor and Mayor of Providence are expected to attend.
When:
Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:30 a.m.
Magic show begins at 11:00 a.m.
Where:
John H. Rollins Recreation Center
674 Prairie Avenue
Providence, RI
Who:
Representatives from Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation; David Sarlitto, Vice President of Corporate Giving, Ocean State Job Lot; FeedRI; Community Angels; The Autism Project; Foster Forward; Mentor Rhode Island; Roger Williams Park Zoo; Bolt Coffee; Knead Doughnuts; The Chefs’ Warehouse; Sid Wainer & Son; Providence Police Department; Elmwood Sports Center; Governor Dan McKee and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 175 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, nearly 7,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $900 million. OSJL shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand-name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price.
The company was named a five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a five-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and three-time Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need.
Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: 401-295-2672. Website: www.oceanstatejoblot.com.
