With the partial federal government shutdown continuing, Roger Williams University and its food service provider, Bon Appétit Management Company, will continue to provide weekly free hot meals to active-duty members of the Coast Guard and local employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and their families.

The offer brought 70 diners to campus on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and another 60 on Monday, Jan. 21.
According to John King, vice president of student life, opening the doors to RWU’s nationally-recognized dining hall was the idea of Beth Morin, whose husband, James Gubata, is a Bon Appétit Management Company employee and general manager of RWU’s dining program.

“We had a great response … Many families really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere,” said Mr. Gubata.
With students returning from Christmas break this week, the university faces a capacity problem serving weeknight meals to people from outside their community, but they’ve figured out a way to make it work. Mr. King has announced that they will be offering a weekend brunch, as before, to all active-duty members of the Coast Guard in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, as well as local members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and their families. Anyone who would like to take advantage of this offer is welcome to come the Upper Commons dining hall on RWU’s Bristol campus on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon for the duration of the shutdown. They should enter through RWU’s main entrance and bring Coast Guard or NOAA identification.

In addition, the Potter League for Animals, based in Middletown, will be offering pet food that guests can bring home for their pets.

“We were so pleased to see families and children of Coast Guard members come to campus,” RWU Interim President Andy Workman said. “As the shutdown continues and the need grows, we wanted to make this offer again. We are happy to help in any way we can.”