Steve and Christine Bartlett, co-chairs of the EG Interfaith Food Pantry, housed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Steve and Christine Bartlett have been selected to receive the 2015 Appreciation Award given out by the East Greenwich High School Wall of Honor Committee at the annual Wall of Honor ceremony in April. (Ed. Note: The Appreciation Award is given to residents who have made significant contributions to East Greenwich. An earlier version of this story had incorrect qualifications.)

The Bartletts have been directors of the EG Interfaith Food Cupboard, run out of St. Luke’s Church, since 2010, focusing their efforts on expanding services and increasing the breadth of food items offered.

Among the improvements that have taken place under the Bartletts’ leadership, the food pantry now offers both perishable and nonperishable items, thanks to the addition of two commercial freezers and a cooler.

The Bartletts were also involved in establishing the Wednesday “Lunch on the Hill” program, together with St. Luke’s in 2014. Every Wednesday, local restaurants provide the food and volunteers from several churches set up, serve and clean up after the lunch.

Under the Bartletts’ leadership the number of food pantry clients served has more than doubled to 3,402, while the number of food items distributed tripled to 67,916.

Chris and Steve have worked diligently to increase the support from several of the faith-based organizations as well as local businesses, nonprofits, schools and the ongoing support of many individuals throughout the community.

The EGIFC is a participating member of the R.I. Community Food Bank. They are a qualified 501(3) C charity and accept donations of food and money that are tax deductible.

Steve, a retired businessman, has served as a board member of the Rhode Island Special Olympics. He has served on various committees at his church and was on the steering  committee that evaluated the need for a senior center in East Greenwich. He has also served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, the town Personnel Board for three terms and as an adviser to the Town Manager and Town Council on personnel matters.

He was elected to three terms as an fire commissioner and was also vice president of the former EG Fire District Commission.

Christine Bartlett has been a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years. She volunteered in the East Greenwich School system in many capacities and headed up the EG Music Parents Group, also serving as the EGHS Volunteer Coordinator.

She played alto and bass clarinet in the Lafayette Band of North Kingstown for 15 years.

Currently she is secretary of the Royal Bayreuth Collector’s Club (German porcelain) and has served on numerous committees at East Greenwich Methodist Church.

The Bartletts have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

The EGHS Wall of Honor Ceremony will take place April 15 in the auditorium at East Greenwich High School. In addition to the Bartletts, this year’s honorees are Fred I. Brown, Otto Olson, Priscilla Adams Rigg, Suzanne Owren Carcieri and Debra Sylvia McMullen. The EGHS Wall of Honor is sponsored by Prudential Gammons Realty.